Division  ^S4-8^ 
Section     '-^^l 


THE 


PLENARY    INSPIRATION 


OLD  AND  NEW  TESTAMENTS, 

BY  DAVID  DYER, 

PASTOR  OP  THE  VILLAGE  CHURCH,  DORCHESTER. 


INTRODUCTION: 

BY  REV.  R.  S.  STORES,  D.D 


BOSTON: 

TAPPAN,  WniTTEMORE  &  MASON. 

1849. 


Entered  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1849, 

By  Tappan,  Whittemore  &  Masox, 

in  the  Clerk's  office  of  the  District  Court  of  the  District  of  Massachusetts. 


jBO.STON  : 

DICKIKSOX  PRIXTIXO  ESTABLISHMENT,  16    DEVONSHIBE  ST. 

DAMRELL  &   MOOKE. 


CONTENTS 


Advertisement. 
Introducti on  . 

CHAPTER  I. 

The  Nature  and  Importance  of  the  Plenary  Inspira- 
tion OF  the  Scriptures. 

CHAPTER  II. 

The  Inspiration  of  the  Old  Testament. 

CHAPTER  III. 

The  Inspiration  of  the  New  Testament. 

CHAPTER  IV. 

Objections  to  the  Inspiration  of  the  Scriptures  an- 
swered, and  the  Bearings  of  the  opposite  Sentiment 

SHOWN. 


ADVERTISEMENT 


The  Author  of  the  follo^ving  Treatise  on  the  Inspiration 
of  the  Holy  Scriptures,  having  searched  in  vain  for  a 
small,  compendious,  popular  work  on  this  subject,  adapted 
to  the  wants  of  young  persons,  and  the  ordinary  members 
of  religious  congregations,  has  endeavored  to  furnish  such 
a  book. 

How  far  he  has  succeeded,  others  will  judge.  In  pub- 
lishino;  it,  he  has  been  influenced  and  cheered  by  the 
advice  and  sanction  of  brethren  to  whose  opinion  he  loveS 
to  defer.  And  should  it  have  the  effect  of  checking,  in 
any  degree,  the  progress  of  insidious  error,  and  promoting 
a  more  enlightened  and  childlike  deference  to  God's 
AVord,  he  will  be  most  amply  repaid. 

Dorchester,  June,  1849. 


INTRODUCTION. 


That  the  plenary  inspiration  of  the  Scriptures  should 
be  called  in  question  at  any  time,  and  by  any  class  of 
men  professing  faith  in  the  Christian  system,  is  to  be 
lamented ;  but  that  it  should  be  questioned  in  a  day 
like  this,  when  the  final  struggle  between  Infidelity 
and  Christianity  is  far  advanced ;  when  antichristian- 
ism  is  bending  beneath  the  death-blows  dealt  out  to  it 
by  the  hand  of  Providence,  and  the  results  of  its  pro- 
tracted reign  are  in  rapid  progress  of  development  on 
foreign  shores ;  when,  too,  there  is  a  world-wide  wak- 
ing up  to  the  question  of  emancipation  from  the  thral- 
dom of  a  thousand  false  religions,  and  the  introduction 
in  their  stead  of  a  faith  honorable  to  God  and  safe  for 
man ;  —  when  the  church  of  God  is  weeping  between 
the  porch  and  the  altar,  and  supplicating  Heaven's 
interposition,  and  putting  forth  her  combined  energies 


b  INTRODUCTION. 

to  give  the  Bible  to  all  nations,  as  the  only  Catholicon 
for  their  moral  diseases  and  physical  sufferings  ;  I  say, 
at  such  a  time,  especially,  the  attempted  diffusion  of  a 
spirit  of  distrust  and  unbelief  in  the  oracles  of  God, 
on  the  part  of  any  who  yet  profess  to  receive  their 
instructions,  in  the  main,  as  reasonable  and  true,  is 
deeply  to  be  deplored  and  as  firmly  resisted.  The 
ultimate  success  of  such  attempts  is  not  indeed  to  be 
feared ;  the  strong  pillars  of  God's  earthly  abode  are 
not  to  be  torn  down,  nor  the  foundations  on  which 
the  Church  has  stood  these  four  thousand  years,  in 
despite  of  earth  and  hell,  to  be  broken  up,  by  the 
puny  arms  of  modern  infidels  and  neologists  ;  but  the 
labors  of  the  believing  must  unavoidably  be  diverted, 
more  or  less,  from  the  direct  enforcement  of  vital  truth 
on  the  conscience,  to  its  defence  against  covert  or 
open  assault,  leaving  many  to  "  wonder  and  perish  " 
who  might  otherwise  be  led  to  the  Rock  that  is  higher 
than  they.  In  no  form,  however  beautiful,  and  in  no 
livery,  stolen  even  from  heaven  itself,  can  infidelity 
triumph  over  the  book  of  God ;  but  her  meretricious 
charms  and  feigned  words,  — her  occasionally  meek  de- 
meanor and  habitually  boastful  pretensions  may  delude 


mTRODUCTION.  i 

the  unwary,  and  encourage  tlie  daring  to  wrest  the  scrip- 
tures to  their  destruction.  This  is  to  be  feared,  and 
from  the  lowest  depths  of  the  soul  to  be  deprecated. 
The  progress  of  truth  is  onward,  and  no  speculations 
of  "  philosophy,  falsely  so  called,"  can  arrest  its  march ; 
under  the  direction  of  the  Holy  One  it  is  omnipotent, 
and  the  words  of  the  prophet  will  apply  to  the  spirit 
of  antagonism  it  meets — "Who  art  thou,  0  great 
mountain?  before  Zerubbabel  thou  shalt  become  a 
plain  ; "  its  progress  occasions  all  the  plagues  and  tor- 
ments now  filling  the  seat  of  the  beast,  and  advanc- 
ing the  wondrous  revolution  within  the  domains  of  the 
false  prophet,  and  upheaving  the  despotic  thrones  of 
Europe,  and  confounding  the  counsels  that  the  wily 
policy  of  centuries  had  matured  for  riveting  the 
chains  of  civil  and  ecclesiastical  bondage  on  the  neck 
of  man  made  in  the  image  of  God.  Thus  taught,  and 
not  doubting  the  promise  that  "  all  men  shall  know  the 
Lord,  from  the  least  to  the  greatest,"  in  the  fullness  of 
time,  we  are  ready  to  cry  in  the  chief  place  of  con- 
course, at  the  opening  of  the  gates,  "  How  long,  ye 
•  simple  ones,  will  ye  love  simplicity,  and  the  scornera 
delight  in  their  scorning,  and  fools  hate  knowledge," 


8  INTRODUCTION. 

rather  than  indulge  the  slightest  apprehension  of 
ultimate  injury  to  Zion  from  the  efforts  of  Ration- 
alism, in  any  form  and  under  any  disguise,  to  destroy 
the  confidence  of  men  in  the  plenary  inspiration  of 
the  Bible.  Still,  the  seven  churches  of  Asia  needed 
not  more  the  warning  voice  of  the  "  beloved  disciple  " 
than  the  churches  of  New  England  need  the  admoni- 
tions of  their  pastors  to  "  try  them  which  say  they 
are  apostles  and  are  not ;  "  and  also  to  repent  and  do 
their  first  works,  and  labor  in  the  cause  of  truth  with- 
out fainting ;  for,  though  the  doctrines  of  Balaam  and 
Jezebel  and  the  Nicolaitanes  are  not  yet  avowed  among 
us,  other  doctrines  impugning  the  authority  of  God's 
word,  are  taught,  which  lead  to  consequences  as  disas- 
trous as  those  which  came  upon  Ephesus,  Pergamos, 
and  Thyatira. 

The  author  of  the  little  volume  here  introduced  to 
the  public,  has  endeavored,  by  this  labor  of  love,  to 
discharge  his  individual  obligations.  It  belongs  not 
to  me  to  say  how  successfully  he  has  done  it.  Others 
will  judge  for  themselves.  I  can  only  say  that  the 
reading  of  the  manuscript  has  afforded  me  much  grat- 
ification, and  the  reading  of  the  printed  copy  cannot 


INTRODUCTION.  \J 

fail  to  be  equally   gratifying  to  as  many  as  sympa- 
thize in  the  author's  love  of  truth.     Of  course,  it 
contains    little    more   than   a   brief    epitome    of    the 
main  arguments   on  which  the  claims  of  inspiration 
rest.     To  expand,  and  illustrate,  and  defend  against 
captious  criticism,  these    and   kindred  arguments,  as 
might  be  done,  would  require  octavos  and  folios,  more 
than  laymen  or  ministers  could  find  time  to  handle  in 
this  busy  age  ;    nor  did  this  form  any  part  of  the 
author's  design.     He  has  aimed  only  at  a  clear  and 
condensed  statement  of  the  principal  grounds  of  faith 
in  the  Bible  as  the  work  of  the  Holy  Spirit.     It  is  the 
very  thing  wanted  at  the  present  time,  and  at  all  times 
when  error  is  abroad,  insidiously  assailing  the  vitalities 
of  Christianity  through  forced  breaches'  in  its  outworks 
—  to  fortify  the  believing  mind,  to  arrest  the  presump- 
tuous in  their   downward   course,  and  confound  the 
gainsaying  child  of  incredulity.     That  God  may  give 
it  favor  with  the  wise,  and  make  it  the  successful  in- 
strument of  dispelling  darkness  and  diffusing  heaven's 
light  over  the  crowd  of  "  the  unlearned  and  unstable," 

is  the  earnest  desire  and  sincere  hope  of 

R.  S.  S. 


PLENARY  INSPIRATION. 


CHAPTER  I. 

Hie  Nature  and  Importance  of  the  Plenary  Inspiration 
of  the  Scriptures. 

The  inspiration  of  the  Word  of  God  is  a  subject 
of  the  highest  moment  to  us  and  to  all  mankind. 
It  affects  us  in  all  the  sentiments  we  nurture,  in 
all  the  relations  we  sustain,  in  all  the  course  we 
pursue,  and  in  all  that  concerns  our  spiritual  hopes 
and  eternal  interests.  If  that  word  is  not  divine- 
ly inspired,  we  have  no  perfect  and  all-sufficient 
directory  for  our  faith  and  practice  ;  we  have  no 
ground  for  hope  in  God,  and  we  are  in  ignorance 
of  the  attributes  of  his  nature,  the  features  of  his 
government,  and  all  that  relates  to  our  own  eter- 
nal state.  We  are  launched  on  the  ocean  of  life, 
having  within  us  all  the  elements  of  eternal  exist- 
ence, without  a  compass  or  a  pilot,  without  the 
sun  or  even  a  star  to  direct  us  in  our  course,  and 
point  us  to  the  haven  of  safety  and  of  peace. 


12  PLENARY   INSPIRATION   OF   THE 

We  are  weak,  beniglited,  defenceless,  and  every 
way  distressed,  without  anything  to  allay  our 
fears  or  to  excite  our  hopes. 

If  that  word  is  only  ^j«r^/a//^/,  or  not  fully  in- 
spired, our  situation  is  but  little  improved  ;  for 
then,  in  reading  the  Bible,  we  shall  not  do  it  as 
children  receiving  instruction  from  a  wise  and  be- 
nignant parent,  but  as  jurors  who  are  to  judge  of 
the  truth  or  falsehood  of  that  which  is  presented 
to  the  mind.  Then,  instead  of  receiving  "  with 
meekness  the  engrafted  word,  which  is  able  to 
save  the  soul,"  we  shall  disregard  or  reject  what- 
ever may  be  unwelcome  to  our  moral  taste. 
Then  we  shall  be  in  doubt  what  to  beheve  and 
what  to  disbelieve  ;  what  degree  of  importance 
to  attach  to  the  different  statements  of  the  Bible, 
than  which  there  can  be  no  situation  more  un- 
pleasant or  dangerous. 

This  shows  us  at  a  glance  how  vastly  im.portant 
in  itself,  and  m  its  bearings  on  the  best  interests 
of  the  human  family,  is  the  subject  before  us.  It 
lies  at  the  basis  of  revealed  religion.  Our  opinion 
on  this  will  affect  our  estimate  of  every  part  of 
that  system.  A  distinguished  theologian  has  well 
said,  "  The  particular  decision  which  is  adopted 
on  this  question  will  have  a  direct  and  sensible  in- 
fluence upon  the  degree  of  reverence  which  will 
be  felt  for  the  Holy  Scriptures  :  upon  the  manner 
in  wliich  they  wiU  be  perused  by  the  common 


OLD    AND   NEW   TESTAMENTS.  13 

christian,  and  studied  and  interpreted  by  the  critic 
and  the  theologian;  upon  the  manner  in  which 
Christianity  will  be  exhibited  by  the  preacher,  and 
apprehended  and  received  by  the  hearer.  Every 
thing  which  pertains  to  the  doctrines  and  precepts 
of  religion,  and  to  the  behef  and  practice  of  those 
who  embrace  it,  will  be  colored  by  the  particular 
views  which  are  entertained  of  the  inspiration  of 
the  Scriptures.  And  each  of  the  different  grades 
of  opinion  which  may  prevail  on  this  subject,  from 
the  direct  denial  of  all  supernatural  guidance,  to 
the  belief  of  a  plenary  inspiration,  will  be  found 
to  produce  its  appropriate  effect  upon  those  who 
maintain  it."*  These  expressions  are  true,  and 
have  been  fully  confirmed  by  observation  and  ex- 
perience. 

Blessed  be  God !  we  need  not  be  in  doubt  on 
this  important  subject.  He  has  given  us  evidence 
respecting  it  which  is  amply  sufficient,  definite, 
and  positive  ;  and  which  conclusively  shows  that 
the  holy  Scriptures  were  fully  inspired  by  God. 
It  is  declared,  2  Tim.  3.  16-17,  "  All  Scripture  ' 
is  given  by  inspiration  of  God,  and  is  profitable 
for  doctrine,  for  reproof,  for  correction,  and  for 
instruction  in  righteousness :  That  the  man  of 
God  may  be  perfect,  thoroughly  furnished  unto 
all  good  works." 
.     The  two  words  in  the  original  (Oeo  nvioi^^  which 


*  Dr.  L.  Woods. 
2 


14  PLENARY  INSPIRATION   OF  THE 

are  translated  inspiration,  properly  mean  that 
God  breathed  into  and  pervaded  the  minds  of  the 
sacred  writers,  as  they  wrote  his  will.  This  idea 
is  frequently  and  forcibly  presented  in  the  Holy 
Book.  David  said,  2.  Sam.  23.  2,  "  The  Spirit 
of  the  Lord  spiake  hy  me,  and  his  word  ivas  in  my 
tongue.''^  Jesus  said  to  his  disciples,  Luke  12. 
11-12,  "  When  they  shall  bring  you  unto  the  syn- 
agogues, and  magistrates,  and  powers,  take  no 
thought  how  or  what  ye  shall  answer  or  what 
ye  shall  say ;  For  the  Holy  G-host  shall  teach 
you  in  the  same  hour  what  ye  ought  to  say.^^ 
The  apostle  Peter  said  to  those  who  waited  for 
the  descent  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  Acts  1.  16, 
"  Men  and  brethren,  this  Scripture  must  needs 
have  been  fulfilled,  which  the  Holy  G-lwst,  hy 
the  mouth  of  David,  spake  before  concerning 
Judas,  which  was  guide  to  them  who  took 
Jesus."  Again,  2  Pet.  1.  21,  "For  the  proph- 
ecy came  not  in  old  time  by  the  mil  of  men ; 
but  holy  men  of  God  spalce  as  they  ivere  moved 
hy  the  Holy  Ghost:' 

In  these  and  many  other  passages  of  Scrip- 
ture, the  idea  suggested  by  the  original  words 
rendered  inspiration,  is  embodied  and  distinctly 
urged.  There  is  no  mistaking  it  or  escaping 
from  it.  It  is  boldly  asserted  as  the  truth  of 
God.  Hence  this  word  inspiration,  as  used 
in  Scripture,  means :  that  the  Holy  Spiiit  so  spec- 
ially pervaded  the  minds  of  the  sacred  writers, 


OLD   AND   NEW   TESTAMENTS.  15 

as  that  they  wrote  just  what  he  pleased,  and 
as  he  pleased;  so  that  the  Holy  Scriptures  a7'e 
a  fall  and  perfect  expression  of  the  toill  of  Grod. 
This  special  divine  influence  extended  not  only 
to  the  thoughts,  but  to  the  manner  of  expressing 
them ;  —  not  only  to  the  facts,  precepts,  and 
doctrines  presented,  but  to  the  language  used. 
In  this,  however,  let  it  be  observed,  the  Holy 
Spirit  did  not  supersede,  or  set  aside  the  natural 
powers  of  those  persons  he  employed,  for  such 
was  not  the  case.  They  were  not  used  as  mere 
machines,  or  simply  as  amanuenses,  but  while 
employed  to  publish  his  will,  they  were  left  in 
the  full  use  of  their  own  natural  capacities  and 
tastes.  "  Instead  of  using  these  men  as  mere  or- 
ganic instruments  of  his  power,  he  thought  right 
to  leave  them  to  the  operations  of  their  own  minds, 
and  the  dictates  of  their  own  knowledge,  habits 
and  feelings,  as  to  the  manner  of  communicating 
his  will.  The  Divine  Spirit  guarded  the  sacred 
penmen  when  they  would  otherwise  have  gone 
astray ;  superintended  and  watched  every  step 
of  their  progress  ;  suggested,  by  direct  discov- 
eries, what  lay  beyond  the  reach  of  their  means 
of  knowledge,  and  directed  them  to  every  topic, 
which,  to  his  infinite  wisdom,  appeared  necessary 
upon  the  whole,  for  the  instruction  of  the 
church  and  the  conversion  of  mankind.  Thus, 
on  the  one  hand,  the  inspiration  did  not  su- 
persede, but  support,  elevate,  and  direct   them 


16  PLENARY   INSPIRATION   OF    THE 

in  the  use  of  their  natural  faculties,  of  their 
stores  of  knowledge,  of  their  experience  and 
observation,  and  their  efforts  of  recollection 
and  reasoning.  The  human  agency,  on  the 
other  hand,  did  not  weaken  or  defeat  the  super- 
natural communications,  but  conveyed  them  to 
men,  moulded  by  the  conceptions,  and  expressed 
in  the  words,  of  common  life.  The  facts  of 
the  case  by  no  means  imply  that  man  mingled 
his  frailties  with  the  revealed  truths  of  Chris- 
tianity ;  but  simply  that  God  was  pleased  to  use 
man  as  his  instrument.  The  human  agency  was 
subordinate  to  the  divine.  The  Almighty  Spirit 
moved  and  gently  led  on ;  the  holy  penmen  fol- 
lowed the  guidance.  God  inspired  ;  man  indited 
and  wrote."*  The  agency  of  the  Holy  Spirit  in 
this  instance  corresponded  with  that  he  exerts  in 
the  conversion  and  sanctification  of  souls ;  and 
which  is  never  exercised  in  the  supplanting,  but 
in  the  employment  of  their  powers. 

This  is  the  doctrine  of  inspiration  which  is 
taught  in  the  Bible,  and  which  has  been  warmly 
cherished  by  every  evangelical  denomination  of 
christians  from  the  days  of  the  apostles  until 
now.  They  have  alwa3^s  esteemed  it  an  essen- 
tial principle  of  their  faith  ;  and  the  more  vigor- 
ous their  piety,  the  more  earnestly  they  have  be- 
lieved and  advocated  this  doctrine. 


Wilson  on  Inspiration. 


OLD   AND   NEW   TESTAMENTS.  17 

Before  showing  that  the  Scriptures  of  the  Old 
and  New  Testaments  are  thus  fully  inspired,*  it 
is  desirable  to  ponder  the  three  following  obser- 
vations. 

1.  This  complete  msjnration  is  necessary  to 
justify  and  sustain  the  high  claims  of  Scrijpture. 
The  Bible  claims  to  be  a  perfect  guide,  and  an 
infallible  test  of  truth.  It  is  given  to  us  as  an 
all-sufficient  directory  in  all  the  relations  of  life, 
and  in  all  the  duties  we  have  to  discharge.  It 
enforces  rules  for  the  highest  monarch,  as  well 
as  for  the  meanest  peasant ;  and  it  urges  them 
as  the  dictates  of  infinite  authority  and  love. 

It  is  commended  to  us  as  the  guide  of  the 
perplexed,  the  solace  of  the  bereaved,  the  sup- 
port of  the  weary,  the  refuge  of  the  distressed, 
the  strength  of  the  weak,  and  the  divine  remedy 
for  all  the  wants  and  ills  of  life.  Amidst  our 
moral  darkness  it  appears  as  "  the  day  star  "  from 
on  high :  as  "  the  sure  word  of  prophecy  unto 
which  we  do  well  to  take  heed."  In  our  guilt 
and  moral  ruin,  it  comes  to  us  as  the  word  which 
is  "  able  to  make  wise  unto  salvation  through 
faith  which  is  in  Christ  Jesus  ;  "  and  it  says, 
"  whosoever  believeth  shall  be  saved."  It  claims 
to  be  nothing  less  than  a  perfect,  universal,  and 
permanent  standard  of  truth,  and  its  assertions 

*  To  any  who  question  the  propriety  of  saying  the 
words  of  Scripture  are  inspired,  I  would  say,  See  Chal- 
mers on  Christian  Revelation,  p.  374,  vol.  4  :  also,  John 
6.  63  :  Heb.  4.  12. 
2* 


18  PLENARY  INSPIRATION  OF  THE 

are  :  "  Thess  are  the  true  sayings  of  God."  "  The 
oracles  of  God."  "  The  Scriptures  of  truth." 
"  To  the  law  and  to  the  testimony ;  if  they  speak 
not  according  to  this  word,  it  is  because  there  is 
no  light  in  them."  It  denounces  the  most  awful 
judgments  on  those  who  either  pervert  or  reject 
its  statements  ;  or  who  add  to  them  or  detract 
from  them.  It  says,  "  Cursed  is  every  one  that 
continueth  not  all  things  written  in  the  book  of 
the  law  to  do  them." 

Now  how  can  these  high  and  all-comprehen- 
sive claims  be  justified  and  sustained,  if  the  Bi- 
ble be  not  thoroughly  and  perfectly  inspired  ?  if 
it  be  not,  in  the  fullest  sense,  the  word  that  pro- 
ceeded out  of  the  mouth  of  God  ?  So  impor- 
tant is  this  doctrine  of  plenary  inspiration,  that 
we  must  choose  between  its  reception  and  the 
rejection  of  the  Bible  as  the  word  of  God ;  for 
a  book  that  is  but  partially  inspired,  cannot  main- 
tain such  superior  and  exclusive  claims. 

2.  This  complete  inspiration  of  the  Scriptures 
is  indispensable  to  their  meriting  our  religious 
veneration  and  imqualified  deference.  We  are 
required  to  regard  the  Bible,  "  not  as  the  word  of 
men,  but  as  it  is,  in  truth,  the  word  of  God."  It 
is  said,  "  Receive  with  meekness  the  engrafted 
word,  which  is  able  to  save  your  souls."  "  As 
new-born  babes,  desire  the  sincere  milk  of  the 
word,  that  ye  may  grow  thereby."  "  Whosoever 
shall  not  receive  the  kingdom  of  God,  as  a  little 
child,  he  shall  not  enter  therein."     These  injunc- 


OLD   AND   NEW  TESTAMENTS.  19 

tions  require  us  to  dierisli  a  religious  reverence 
for  the  sacred  "\vord  ;  —  to  receive  with  childlike 
docility  its  teachings  ;  —  to  bow  with  unqualified 
submission  to  its  authority,  and  to  yield  a  cheer- 
ful obedience  to  its  commands.  We  are  to 
search  it,  not  with  a  self-sufficient,  captious  spirit, 
but  that  we  may  know  what  God  the  Lord  has 
said,  and  that  we  may  do  his  will. 

But  is  it  just  to  demand  this  religious  venera- 
tion and  deference  of  us,  if  the  Bible  is  not  fully 
inspired  ?  Does  it  merit  this  at  our  hands,  or 
can  we  intelligently  and  justly  comply  with  the 
demand,  if  it  is  not  the  Word  of  God  ? 

Suppose  that  the  assertion  made  by  Dr.  Priest- 
ly be  correct ;  that  the  writers  of  the  books  of 
Scripture  were  men,  and  therefore  fallible,  and, 
hke  all  other  historians,  were  liable  to  mistakes  ; 
—  what  justice  would  there  be  in  this  require- 
ment ?  What  propriety  in  our  regarding  it  ? 
Suppose  that  the  statements  made  by  a  profess- 
ed teacher  of  Christianity  in  the  present  day 
be  true  ;  that  "  God  is  represented  in  a  most  un- 
becoming manner  throughout  the  Pentateuch,"  or 
five  books  of  Moses  ;  — ''  that  in  the  books  of 
Joshua  and  Judges  there  is  a  great  mixture  of 
fabulous  traditions,  such  as  are  found  in  the  early 
history  of  all  other  nations,"  and  that  "  no  one 
who  puts  aside  the  notion  of  the  divine  authority 
of  all  the  Hebrew  books,  can  doubt  that  extrav- 
agant fables  and  false  prodigies  are  found  in  all 
those  which  relate  the  Jewish  history  antecedent 


20  PLENARY   INSPIRATION   OF  THE 

to  the  time  of  Samuel ; "  —  and  that  "  there  seema 
to  be  no  good  reason  why  the  books  of  Samuel 
and  Kmgs  should  be  regarded  as  exceptions  to 
this  mixture."*  I  say,  suppose  these  statements 
.are  true  ;  what  shadow  of  justice  is  there  in 
this  demand  of  the  Bible  for  religious  veneration 
and  deference  ?  What  lover  of  truth  can  regard 
it?  What  friend  of  honesty  can  commend  a 
book  making  such  pretensions,  yet  containing 
such  fabulous  matter  ?  Justice  and  propriety 
would,  in  that  case,  demand  the  disregard  of  this 
requirement,  and  the  rejection  of  the  book. 
"  We  must,  therefore,  either  admit  these  writings 
to  be  the  inspired  word  of  God,  and  consequent- 
ly free  from  imperfection  and  mistake,  or  con- 
sider them  as  mere  impositions.  To  pretend  to 
venerate  them  as  the  authentic  records  of  his 
will  and  dispensations,  and  yet  deny  their  inspi- 
ration, is  absurd :  it  is  believing  the  writers  in 
what  they  say  of  other  subjects,  and  disbeheving 
them  in  what  they  say  of  themselves.  If  their 
writings  be  not  what  they  profess  to  be,  they  are 
impositions  and  deserve  to  be  rejected.  There  is 
no  consistent  medium  between  faith  and  unbelief." 

3.  This  plenary  inspiration  of  the  Bible  is  in- 
dispensable to  its  adequately  meeting  our  spirit- 
ual wants. 

Suppose  that  it  is  not  a  perfectly  inspired 
book  ;  —  that  it  is  like  the  beclouded  teachings 

*  Professor  Norton,  as  quoted  by  Dr.  Stuart. 


OLD   AND   NEW   TESTAMENTS.  21 

of  reason,  or  tlie  dubious  dictates  of  conscience  ; 
imperfect  in  its  discoveries,  uncertain  in  its  con- 
clusions, and  sometimes  erroneous  in  its  direc- 
tions ;  TN'hat  confidence  could  we  then  place  in  its 
statements  ?  AY  hat  reliance  could  we  put  on  its 
promises  ?  What  assurance  could  we  have  of 
the  faithfulness  of  its  record,  or  the  truth  of  its 
decisions  ? 

If  such  was  the  character  of  the  Eible,  it  would 
be,  at  best,  but  a  slight  advance  on  the  teach- 
ings of  nature.  Then  we  should  have  no  perfect 
teacher  to  point  out  the  way  of  life  ;  —  no  infal- 
lible guide  of  opinions  and  practice;  —  no  sure 
rock  of  truth  on  which  to  build  ;  —  nor  any  cer- 
tain hght  to  lead  us  to  the  world  of  rest.  Then 
we  should  be  as  those  are  who  have  not  the  word 
of  God,  burdened  with  obligations,  yet  know  not 
how  to  meet  them  ;  —  oppressed  with  guilt,  yet 
ignorant  of  the  way  of  pardon ;  —  anxious  for 
peace,  yet  knowing  not  how  to  find  it ;  —  sunk  in 
moral  degradation,  without  the  means  of  relief; 
destined  to  eternity,  yet  in  a  state  of  miserable 
uncertainty  respecting  what  awaits  us  there. 
Then  the  sweet  assurance  which  we  now  have, 
that  there  is  a  Father  in  heaven,  that  there  is  an 
Almighty  Sa^dour  there,  that  there  is  pardon 
for  the  guilty  through  his  blood,  —  that  whoso- 
ever believeth  in  him  is  justified  from  all  things, 
—  that  all  may  come  to  him  and  obtain  peace  and 
eternal  life,  and  that  the  Holy  Spirit  will  gra- 


22  PLENARY   INSPIRATION,   ETC. 

ciouslj  sanctify  and  lead  them  to  everlasting 
glory,  ^ould  not  be  possessed,  but  all  would  be 
gloom,  uncertainty,  and  distress. 

Take  away  the  divine  inspiration  of  the  Bible ; 
—  reduce  this  blessed  book  to  a  level  with  those 
of  men  ;  and  we  are  deprived  of  all  that  is  dear, 
valuable,  and  essential ;  —  we  are  bereft  of  that 
which  alone  is  adapted  to  meet  our  spiritual  and 
immortal  wants.  The  pearl  of  great  price  is  gone. 
The  day  star  has  disappeared.  The  sun  of 
righteousness,  w^^th  his  enlivening  and  invigorat- 
ing beams,  is  n6  more  seen  or  felt ;  but  dark- 
ness, coldness,  and  moral  death  prevail.  Oh, 
pitiable  condition !  Oh,  miserable  state !  To 
this,  with  all  its  horrors,  would  those  systems 
lead  us  which  deny  the  plenary  inspiration  of  the 
Holy  Scriptures. 


CHAPTER  II. 


TTie  Plenary  hispiration  of  the  Old  Testament 

In  investigating  the  correctness  of  any  article 
of  our  religious  faith,  it  is  desirable  not  only  to 
ascertain  the  opinions  of  others,  but  to  obtain  de- 
finite ideas  of  our  own.  This,  indeed,  is  indis- 
pensable to  our  understanding  and  enjoying  the 
doctrines  of  religion,  and  to  our  being  able  to  give 
a  reason  for  the  hope  that  is  in  us. 

Those  who  neglect  this,  deprive  themselves  -of 
much  intelligent  satisfaction,  hinder  their  useful- 
ness, endanger  their  religious  stabihty,  and  expose 
themselves  to  be  driven  about  by  every  wind  of 
doctrine.  Their  faith  will  stand  in  the  wisdom  of 
men,  net  in  the  power  of  God. 

The  apostles,  conscious  of  the  importance  of  this 
course,  urged  the  disciples  not  to  yield  a  blind  re- 
liance on  their  teachers,  but  to  think  for  them- 
selves —  to  examine  the  oracles  of  God  ;  and  it 
is  said  of  the  Bereans  :  "  These  were  more  noble 
than  those  in  Thessalonica,  in  that  they  received 
the  word  with  all  readiness  of  mind,  and  searched 
the  Scriptures  daily  whether  those  things  were  so." 


24  PLENARY    INSPIRATION   OF    THE 

This  course  every  individual  should  pursue. 
As  the  reasons  for  any  doctrine  or  duty  are  pre- 
sented, they  should  ask  themselves,  Are  these 
reasons  scriptural?  Do  they  harmonize  with 
the  declarations  of  the  sacred  word  ?  Do  they 
commend  themselves  to  our  minds  as  reasonable 
and  accountable  creatures  ?  Do  they  accord 
with  the  wants  of  the  immortal  soul  ? 

The  answer  to  these  questions  may  demand  ear- 
nest and  continued  thought,  and  a  close  personal 
application  of  the  subject ;  but  this  should  not  be 
avoided,  for  it  will  promote  spiritual  health,  and 
be  of  invaluable  service.  Unhappily,  individuals 
generally  shrink  from  this.  They  are  content  to 
receive  their  religious  opinions  from  others,  to  be 
governed  in  the  adoption  of  these  sentiments  by  the 
dictates  of  their  carnal  hearts,  their  intellectual 
pride,  the  views  of  some  prominent  minister  or 
friend,  or  by  the  opinions  which  are  prevalent 
around  them.  Even  those  whose  creed  is  evan- 
gelical, and  whose  dispositions  and  aims  are  gen- 
erally correct,  are  sometimes,  in  this  particular, 
culpably  negligent,  and  consequently  are  far  from 
beino;  either  wise  or  strono;  in  the  Lord.  This  is 
to  be  deprecated  as  every  way  disastrous,  and 
unworthy  a  christian  mind.  Let  it  not  be  indulged 
in  relation  to  the  subject  discussed  in  this  little 
work,  but  let  every  reader  feel  that  he  has  a  per- 
sonal interest  in  this  theme,  and  that  it  becomes 


OLD   AND   NEW   TESTAMENTS.  25 

him  to  seek  enlightened  view  s,  and  to  nourish  a 
firm  and  scriptural  faith. 

Having  seen  the  nature  and  importance  of 
the  plenary  inspiration  of  the  Scriptures,  we 
are  now  to  show  that  the  Old  Testament  is  thus 
inspired. 

This  ivill  appear  from  the  perfection  of  its 
teachings.  On  opening  the  Old  Testament,  we 
are  met  at  its  commencement  with  an  account  of 
the  creation  of  this  world,  and  the  various  beings 
and  things  found  therein.  This  account  is  brief, 
simple,  and  comprehensive,  adapted  to  the  hum- 
blest, as  well  as  the  most  elevated  mind.  It  was 
written  when  the  great  facts  of  natural  history, 
and  the  great  principles  of  natural  science,  were 
but  imperfectly,  if  at  all,  understood.  It  was 
written,  too,  by  an  individual  who  made  no  preten- 
sions to  an  acquaintance  with  those  facts  and  prin- 
ciples, and  who  belonged  to  a  nation  where  the 
study  of  them  was  not  cultivated. 

Now  what  is  the  character  of  this  account  ? 
Has  it  borne  the  test  of  enlightened  scrutiny  ? 
Has  it  received  the  confidence  of  those  who  were 
prepared  to  judge  of  its  truth  ?  Yes,  verily.  It 
has  been  before  the  world  for  more  than  three 
thousand  years,  and  has  been  sanctioned  by  men 
of  all  persuasions,  not  excepting  those  who,  from 
•their  love  of  infidehty,  would  have  been  glad  to 
charge  it  with  error.  And  though  not  a  few,  in 
the  immaturity  of  their  knowledge,  have  assailed 

3 


26  PLENARY   INSPIRATION   OF   THE 

it  as  incorrect,  yet,  with  more  perfect  information, 
they  have  seen  its  exact  accordance  with  truth, 
and  have  paid  it  their  warmest  commendation. 
So  invariably  and  successfully  have  the  assaults 
made  upon  it  been  repelled  by  the  advancing  dis- 
coveries of  science,  that  we  feel  no  solicitude  re- 
specting its  correctness,  and  are  sure  that  whatever 
future  developments  may  be  made,  they  will  be 
found,  when  fully  understood,  to  harmonize  with 
this  statement  of  God's  word.  This  account  now 
stands  before  us  in  all  its  simplicity  and  plainness, 
as  the  acknowledged  perfection  of  truth,  and  as 
meriting  universal  belief  and  homage. 

How  shall  we  account  for  this  perfection,  if 
Moses  was  not  divinely  inspired  ?  How,  apart 
from  this,  could  he  have  known  the  facts  detailed  ? 
How  was  it  his  information  was  so  far  in  advance 
of  all  other  men  ?  How  is  it  that  the  advancing 
researches  of  the  present  enlightened  age  are 
constantly  confirming  its  truth  ?  And  how  is  it 
that  in  its  inferences  it  is  now  in  advance  of  the 
best  informed  minds  ?  What  reason  shall  we  as- 
sign for  these  things,  if  we  deny  the  doctrine  of 
plenary  inspiration  ? 

But,  what  is  true  of  this,  is  true  of  the  other 
parts  of  the  Old  Testament.  The  character  of 
this  may  be  taken  as  a  just  criterion  whereby  to 
judge  of  them.  For  if  they  are  not  all  inspired 
in  an  equal  degree^  they  are  sufficiently  so  to  in- 
sure infalhble  correctness  in  the  annunciation  of 


OLD    AXD    NEW   TESTAMENTS.  27 

their  predictions  and  principles,  and  in  the  record 
of  their  facts. 

Take,  as  an  ilkistration,  the  entire  book  of  Gen- 
esis. In  the  record  of  its  facts  is  found  a  depth 
of  knowledge,  a  brevity,  a  comprehensiveness  and 
power  of  statement,  and  a  perfection  of  beauty, 
which  are  superhuman,  and  have  excited  the  hom- 
age of  the  most  cultivated  minds.  The  predic- 
tions found  in  this  book,  though  given  in  a  most 
unenhghtened  and  idolatrous  age,  extended  in 
their  application  to  the  various  divisions  of  the 
human  family,  and  to  events  which  reach  to  the 
very  end  of  time,  and  they  have  been,  or  are  now 
being,  confirmed  by  the  experience  of  mankind. 
There  is,  as  every  individual  who  has  studied  the 
subject  knows,  a  striking  harmony  between  these 
and  the  other  predictions  of  the  Old  Testament, 
and  the  events  which  have  transpired  in  the  his- 
tory of  our  race.  The  one  have  answered  to  the 
other  and  shown  the  divine  wisdom  which  guided 
the  prophet's  pen. 

It  has  been  truthfully  said,  "  The  book  of  Gen- 
esis alone  is  a  source  of  all  knowledge.  It  is  a 
mountain  where  lofty  cedars,  the  cedars  of  God, 
strike  their  roots  deep,  in  whose  recesses  there  is 
golden  ore,  on  whose  surface  there  is  a  wilderness 
of  native  flowers  and  fruits,  through  whose  ravines 
run  mighty  rivers,  and  where  ancient  nations 
dwelt  that  were  many  and  strong.  Men  of  learn- 
ing have  traversed  it ;  imagination  has  culled  its 


28  PLENARY  INSPIRATION   OF  THE 

purest  flowers  ;  curious  research  has  traced  out  its 
time-worn  channels  ;  and  patient  and  discriminat- 
ing toil  has  dug  about  its  roots  —  and  they  are  all 
found  fresh  and  pure,  and  the  soil  inexhaustible."* 

In  this  and  the  other  books  of  Moses  are  found, 
plainly  revealed  and  commended  to  us,  all  the 
great  principles  of  commercial  and  social  inter- 
course, of  domestic  happiness  and  prosperity,  of 
education,  of  government,  and  religion,  which  are 
now  receiving  the  homage  of  the  most  liberal  and 
enlif^htened  nations.  And  it  is  not  till  those  na- 
tions  have  made  a  far  greater  advance  in  all  these, 
than  is  at  present  reaUzed,  that  they  will  reach 
the  happy  state  presented  in  the  Old  Testament. 
They  have  only  approached  perfection ;  but  there 
is  perfection  itself.  Its  teachings  stop  at  nothing 
short  of  the  entire  abohtion  of  oppression,  in- 
justice, and  war ;  the  universal  prevalence  of 
knowledge,  purity,  and  peace,  and  the  practical 
predominance  throughout  the  earth  of  equahty 
and  love. 

Such  are  the  teachings  of  the  Old  Testament. 
They  were  given,  be  it  remembered,  when  idola- 
try almost  universally  prevailed ;  when  despotism 
swayed  its  iron  sceptre  over  the  bodies  and  minds 
of  men ;  when  all  was  averse  to  the  progress  of  vir- 
tue, liberty,  and  knowledge;  and  when  "  darkness 

*  Spring's  Power  of  the  Pulpit. 


OLD   AND   NEW   TESTAMENTS.  29 

covered  the  earth,  and  gross  darkness  the  minds 
of  the  people." 

Now  ask  yourself,  How  can  I  account  for  the 
perfection  of  these  teachings  ?  Why  did  they 
present  such  a  marked  contrast  to  the  maxims  and 
information  of  the  periods  when  they  were  deliv- 
ered ?  Why  did  they  discover  such  a  depth  and 
exactness  of  knowledge,  and  foretell  with  such 
correctness  events  that  were  so  far  distant,  and  of 
such  extensive  apphcation  ?  Why  have  they  been 
loved  and  reverenced  by  the  purest  and  most  ex- 
panded minds  that  have  ever  lived  ?  And  why 
are  they  now  so  extensively  revered,  and  so  far 
in  advance  of  the  world?  Can  any  adequate 
reason  be  assigned  apart  from  the  inspiration  of 
the  Holy  Spirit  ?  This  oyily  is  the  cause,  and  the 
perfection  of  these  teachings  plainly  declares  the 
possession  of  this  gift  by  the  holy  men  who  wrote 
this  sacred  book. 

The  plenary  inspiration  of  the  Old  Testament 
is  asserted  by  its  writers.  The  conviction  that 
they  were  inspired  to  declare  the  will  of  God,  had 
an  abiding  hold  on  their  minds,  and  exerted  a  con- 
trolling influence  on  their  actions. 

They  both  affirmed  and  displayed  it,  and  they 
taught  others  to  regard  their  w^ords  as  the  true 
sayings  of  God. 

Moses  declared  that  the  Lord  said,  respecting 
himself  and  Aaron,  Exo.  4.  15-16,  —  "I  will  be 
with  thy  mouth,  and  be  with  his  mouth,  and  will 

3* 


30  PLENARY  INSPIRATION   OF  THE 

teach  you  what  ye  shall  do.  And  he  shall  be  thy 
spokesman  unto  the  people;  and  he  shall  be,  even 
he  shall  be  to  thee  instead  of  a  mouth,  and  thou 
shalt  be  to  him  instead  of  God."  David  said,  2 
Sam.  23.  2,  "  The  spirit  of  the  Lord  spake  by  me, 
and  his  word  was  in  my  tongue."  As  we  turn  to 
the  writings  of  Isaiah  and  the  other  prophets,  we 
find  them  frequently  saying,  "  The  Lord  said  unto 
me,"  or  "  Hear  ye  the  w^ord  of  the  Lord."  They 
usually  commenced  their  respective  books  by  say- 
ing, "  The  w^ord  of  the  Lord  that  came  unto 
Jeremiah,"  or  Hosea,  &c. 

Guided  by  the  Holy  Spirit,  they  denounced 
severe  judgments  against  those  who  rejected  or 
disobeyed  the  instructions  they  gave.  Moses 
said,  Deut.  28.  58-59,  "  If  thou  wilt  not  observe 
to  do  all  the  words  of  this  law  that  are  written  in 
this  book,  that  thou  mayst  fear  this  glorious 
and  fearful  name,  The  Lord  thy  God  ;  then  the 
Lord  will  make  thy  plagues  wonderful,  and  the 
plagues  of  thy  seed,  even  great  plagues,  and 
of  long  continuance,  and  sore  sicknesses,  and  of 
long  continuance.  See  also,  Lev.  26.  14-17 ; 
Deut.  28.  15,  &c.  Isaiah  said,  5.  24,  "  There- 
fore as  the  fire  devoureth  the  stubble,  and  the 
flame  consumeth  the  chaiF,  so  their  root  shall  be 
as  rottenness,  and  their  blossom  shall  go  up  as 
dust ;  because  they  have  cast  away  the  law  of 
the  Lord  of  Hosts,  and  despised  the  word  of  the 
Holy  One  of  Israel."     The  truth  of  these  denun- 


OLD    AND    NEW    TESTAMENTS.  31 

ciatloFiS  the  sacred  historians  declare,  has  been 
confirmed  bj  the  punishments  experienced  by  the 
Jews. 

What  shall  we  say  to  these  assertions  ?  To 
suppose  them  forgeries  is  what  no  one  can  con- 
sistently do.  To  deny  their  truthfulness,  and 
hence,  the  inspiration  of  the  Old  Testament,  is  to 
charge  their  authors  with  deception  and  falsehood, 
to  affirm  that  the  whole  Jewish  nation  were  de- 
ceived, that  the  divine  historians  have  uttered 
untruths ;  and  it  is  to  brand  as  false  a  book 
which  has  received  the  unqualified  approbation 
of  holy  men  and  God.  From  this  issue  we  turn 
with  thankfulness  to  the  belief  that  this  sacred 
book  is  fully  inspired  by  God. 

Jesus  and  Ms  Apostles  taught  and  enforced  the 
divine  inspiration  and  authority  of  the  Old  Tes- 
tament. The  Saviour  was  well  aware  of  the  re- 
ligious veneration  in  which  the  Jews  held  the 
Scriptures,  and  we  cannot  doubt  but  that  he 
would  have  condemned  this  spirit  had  it  been  er- 
roneous. But  instead  of  condemnation,  he  com- 
mended it,  both  by  precept  and  example,  and 
sought  to  make  it  more  intelhgent  and  practical. 
At  the  very  commencement  of  his  ministry  he 
publicly  said.  Matt.  5.  17,  "  Think  not  that  I  am 
come  to  destroy  the  law,  or  the  prophets.  I  am 
not  come  to  destroy,  but  to  fulfil."  In  resisting 
the  tempter  he  employed  expressions  taken  from 
the  Old  Testament,  which  are,  the  sword  of  the 


32  PLENARY   INSPIRATION   OP   THE 

spirit,  and  tlie  word  of  God.  When  appealed  to 
on  the  subject  of  divorce,  he  referred  to  the  de- 
claration of  Moses,  in  Genesis,  as  of  divine  au- 
thority, and  said,  Matt.  19.  4-5,  "  Have  ye  not 
read  that  he  which  made  them  at  the  beginning, 
made  them  male  and  female,  and  said,  '  Por  this 
cause  shall  man  leave  father  and  mother,  and  shall 
cleave  unto  his  wife,  and  they  twain  shall  be  one 
flesh  V  "  When  the  Sadducees,  who  said  there  is 
no  resurrection,  tempted  him  with  a  question  re- 
specting the  Mosaic  law,  he  said.  Matt.  22.  29- 
32,  "  Ye  do  err,  not  knowing  the  Scriptures,  nor 
the  power  of  God.  Have  ye  not  read  that  which 
was  spoken  unto  you  by  God,  saying ;  I  am  the 
God  of  Abraham,  and  the  God  of  Isaac,  and  the 
God  of  Jacob  ?  God  is  not  the  God  of  the  dead, 
but  of  the  living."  When  the  disciples  expressed 
astonishment  at  the  events  attendant  on  his  death, 
he  said,  Luke  24.  25-27,  "  0  fools,  and  slow  of 
heart  to  believe  all  that  the  prophets  have  spoken  ! 
Ought  not  Christ  to  have  suffered  these  things, 
and  to  enter  into  his  glory  ?  And  hegiiining  at 
Moses  and  all  the  prophets,  he  expounded  unto 
them  in  all  the  Scriptures  the  things  concerning 
himself. ' '  Referring  to  the  common  opinion  which 
the  Jews  entertained  of  the  sacred  word,  he  said, 
John  5.  39,  "  Search  the  Scriptures ;  for  in 
them  ye  think  ye  have  eternal  life  ;  and  they  are 
they  which  testify  of  me."  Again,  in  Luke  16. 
29,  he  spoke   of  them  as  a  sufficient  guide   to 


OLD    AND    NEW   TESTAMENTS.  33 

heaven.  And  just  before  he  ascended  to  heaven 
he  said  to  his  disciples,  Luke  24.  4445,  "  These 
are  the  words  "svhich  I  spake  unto  you  while  I  "was 
yet  with  you,  that  all  things  must  be  fulfilled  which 
were  written  in  tlie  Icm  of  3Ioses,  and  in  the 
prophets^  and  in  thepsalms*  concerning  me.  Then 
opened  he  their  understanding  that  they  might 
understand  the  Scriptures." 

No  testimony  to  the  divine  authority  of  the 
Old  Testament  could  be  more  full  or  decisive. 
It  included  every  part  of  the  sacred  book, 
and  consisted,  not  only  in  expounding  and  en- 
forcing its  truths,  but  in  a  personal  and  universal 
submission  to  its  requirements.  That  individual 
who  can  suppose  that  Jesus  Christ  could  do  all 
this,  and  yet  deny  its  perfect  ins'p)iration^  must 
have  strangely  mistaken  both  the  Saviour's 
knowledge  and  integrity. 

It  was  precisely  so  with  the  Apostles.  They 
did  not,  when  referring  to  the  Old  Testament, 
speak  with  doubt  or  hesitation,  but  with  a  firm 
beUef  in  its  divine  authority.  They  designated 
it,  "  The  word  of  God,"  "  The  lively  Oracles," 
"  The  Oracles  of  God."  They  quoted  its  asser- 
tions as  beyond  appeal.  If  the  doctrine  or  the 
duty  they  enforced  was  confirmed  by  Moses  and 

•  *  That  this  designation  of  the  Old  Testament  was 
common  among  the  Jews,  and  comprised  the  books  it  now 
contains,  and  no  others,  see  Chalmer's  on  Christian  Rev- 
elation, pp.  213-343,  vol.  4,  and  Stuart  on  the  Old  Testa- 
ment 


84  PLENARY   INSPIRATION   OF   THE 

the  prophets,  that  was  deemed  sufficient  to  prove 
it  divine.  Asserting  the  doctrine  of  universal 
depravity,  Paul  said,  Rom.  3.  10,  ''As  it  is 
written;  There  is  none  righteous,  no,  not  one." 
Again,  affirming  the  doctrine  of  justification  by 
faith,  he  said,  Rom.  4.  3,  "  What  saith  the  Scrii> 
ture  ?  Abraham  believed  God  and  it  was  count- 
ed unto  him  for  righteousness."  Again,  respecting 
the  divinity  of  Christ,  Heb.  1.  6,  "  When  he 
bringeth  in  the  first  begotten  into  the  world,  he 
saith  ;  And  let  all  the  angels  of  God  worship  him." 
Peter  said,  1  Eph.  1.  15-16,  "  But  as  he  which 
hath  called  you  is  holy,  so  be  ye  holy  in  all  man- 
ner of  conversation.  Because  it  is  wntten  ;  Be 
ye  holy  ;  for  I  am  holy."  This  proof  was  deci- 
sive. It  was  unanswerable  and  complete.  Thus 
sustained,  the  doctrine,  or  the  precept,  was  re- 
ceived as  God's. 

But  they  'positively  asserted  this  all-important 
fact.  Peter  dh-ectly  said,  Acts  1.  16,  "  The 
Holy  Ghost  by  the  mouth  of  David  spake  before 
concernins;  Judas  which  was  guide  to  them  that 
took  Jesus."  Again,  1  Pet.  1.  21,  "The 
prophecy  came  not  in  old  time  by  the  will  of 
man :  but  holy  men  of  God  spake  as  they  were 
moved  by  the  Holy  Ghost."  Paul  said,  2  Tim. 
3.  16,  "  All  Scripture  is  given  by  inspiration  of 
God.'* 


*  If  any  think  that  truth  uttered  by  heathen  writers, 
was  as  much  inspired,  and  of  equal   authority,  as  the 


OLD   AND   NEW   TESTAMENTS.  35 

Here  we  have  all,  tlien,  that  can  be  reasonably 
required.  The  doctrine  is  declared  in  every 
way  that  can  be  justly  wished.  It  was  cher- 
ished and  practically  honored  by  Jesus  and  his 
inspired  Apostles  ;  and  they  have  commended 
it  to  the  world.  "  They  never,  in  a  single  in- 
stance, taught  or  said  the  least  thing  which  im- 
plied that  there  was  any  book,  or  any  text  con- 
tained in  the  Scriptures,  which  was  not  the  word 
of  God,  and  which  had  not  divine  authority. 
And  they  never  said  anything  which  implied  that 
one  part  was  the  word  of  God  in  a  lower  sense,  or 
that  it  had  less  authority  than  other  parts.  They 
never  gave  the  least  intimation  which  was  calcu- 
lated to  make  such  an  impression  on  the  minds  of 
men.  They  never  gave  any  caution  to  christians, 
or  even  to  Jews,  against  attributing  too  high  an 
authority,  or  attaching  too  much  importance  to 
the  Holy  Scriptures.  They  were  so  far  from 
this,  that  they  made  it  a  great  object  to  produce 
among  men  a  higher  reverence  for  all  and  every 
part  of  the  sacred  volume,  and  to  excite  them 

declarations  of  Moses,  Isaiah,  &c.,  it  may  be  well  for 
them  to  ask,  Did  Jesus  teacli  thus  ?  Did  he  ever  submit 
his  claims  to  the  decision  of  those  writers  ?  Did  he  ex- 
pound their  declarations  for  the  benefit  of  those  who 
listened  to  him  ?  Did  he  urge  the  Jews  to  search  their 
writinos,  as  he  commanded  them  to  ''Search  the  Scrip- 
tures ? "  Did  he  utter  a  single  word  enjoining  deference 
to  them,  as  to  ^'Moses  and  the  Prophets  f 


36  PLENARY   INSPIRATION   OF   THE 

more  diligently  to  search  it,  and  more  entirely  to 
confide  in  it,  as  containing  truth  unmixed  -^ith 
error."*  This  is  the  course  we  should  pursue  ;  for 
it  alone  is  safe  to  man,  and  honorable  to  God. 

The  divine  utility  of  the  Old  Testament  de- 
clares its  complete  inspiration.  This  sacred 
book,  like  the  New  Testament,  is  designed  to 
meet  wants  and  accomplish  ends,  which  nothing 
else  can  do.  These  wants  are  not  pUysical,  but 
spiritual ;  not  limited,  but  extending  to  all  man- 
kind, and  to  all  eternity.  These  ends  are  noth- 
ing short  of  the  spiritual  illumination  of  the 
world,  and  the  everlasting  salvation  of  those  who 
believe. 

Now  to  effect  these  designs,  it  must  be  divine- 
ly inspired.  For  here  are  depths  which  no 
human  eye  can  see ;  —  here  are  wants  which  no 
finite  mind  can  understand ;  —  and  here  are 
bounds  which  no  mortal  intellect  can  reach. 
None  but  divine  words  could  discover  to  us  the 
glories  of  the  divine  character  and  government ; 
—  the  awful  nature  and  effects  of  guilt ;  —  the 
sinful  snares  and  hellish  wiles  to  which  we  are 
exposed  ;  —  the  duties  we  owe  to  God  ;  —  the 
kind  designs  he  has  formed  respecting  our  race  ; 
and  the  ultimate  destiny  of  the  righteous  and  the 
wicked  in  another  world. 


*  Dr.  "Woods  on  Inspiration. 


OLD    AND    NEW    TESTAMENTS.  37 

None  but  divine  words  could  renew  the  heart ; 
—  subdue  the  unholy  will  —  give  peace  to  the 
troubled  conscience  —  sanctify  the  nature  —  arm 
the  soul  against  the  allurements  of  sin,  and 
strengthen  it  to  resist  all  the  temptations  of  the 
devil.  And  none  but  divine  words  could  enable 
a  single  individual  to  rejoice  in  affliction : —  to  look 
with  intelligent  composure  and  hope  on  death,  or 
give  an  assurance  of  waking  up  hereafter  in  the 
likeness  of  Jesus,  and  participating  in  those  eter- 
nal pleasures  which  are  at  his  right  hand. 

And  yet  all  this,  and  more  than  this,  the 
precious  words  of  the  Old  Testament  have  done. 
Hence  the  sacred  writers  speak  with  frequency 
and  truth  of  their  tendency  to  bless  mankind. 
No  point  was  presented  with  greater  decision 
and  power  than  this.  The  psalmist  David  said, 
Ps.  19.  7-11,  '  The  law  of  the  Lord  is  perfect, 
converting  the  soul :  the  testimony  of  the  Lord 
is  sure,  making  wise  the  simple.  The  statutes  of 
the  Lord  are  right,  rejoicing  the  heart :  the  com- 
mandment of  the  Lord  is  pure,  enlightening  the 
eyes.  The  fear  of  the  Lord  is  clean,  enduring 
forever :  the  judgments  of  the  Lord  are  true, 
and  righteous  altogether.  More  to  be  desired 
are  they  than  gold,  yea,  than  much  fine  gold  ; 
sweeter  also  than  honey  and  the  honey-comb. 
Moreover,  by  them  is  thy  servant  warned  : 
and  in  keeping  of  them  there  is  great  reward.' 
The  apostle   Paul  said,  Rom.  15.  4,    "  What- 


88  PLENARY   INSPIRATION   OF   THE 

soever  things  were  written  aforetime,  were 
written  for  our  learning,  that  we  through  pa- 
tience and  comfort  of  the  Scriptures  might  have 
hope."  Again,  2  Tim.  3.  15-17,  "  The  Holy 
Scriptures,  which  are  able  to  make  thee  wise 
unto  salvation,  through  faith  which  is  in  Christ 
Jesus.  All  Scripture  is  given  bj  inspiration  of 
God,  and  is  profitable  for  doctrine,  for  repoof,  for 
correction,  for  instruction  in  righteousness.  That 
the  man  of  God  may  be  perfect,  thoroughly  fur- 
nished unto  all  good  works."  To  consummate 
the  whole,  the  apostle  Peter  presented  a  striking 
comparison  between  the  assertions  of  the  Old 
Testament  and  the  voice  which  he,  and  two  of  his 
fellow  disciples,  heard,  when  with  Jesus  on  the 
mount.  After  speaking  of  the  testimony  they 
received  to  the  honor  and  glory  of  Christ,  when 
there  came  such  a  voice  to  him  from  the  excel- 
lent glory,  saying,  "  This  is  my  beloved  son,  in 
whom  I  am  well  pleased,"  he  added,  "  We  have  a 
more  sure  word  of  prophecy  ;  whereunto  ye  do 
well  to  take  heed,  as  unto  a  light  that  shine th  in 
a  dark  place."  By  this  he  meant  the  Scriptures 
of  the  Old  Testament,  for  he  immediately  said, 
"  For  the  prophecy  came  not  in  old  time  by  the 
will  of  man ;  but  holy  men  of  God  spake  as  they 
were  moved  by  the  Holy  Ghost." 

What  force  there  is  in  this  comparison  !  How 
immensely  valuable  must  be  this  blessed  book, 
when  its  testimony  is  of  greater  worth  than   a 


OLD    AND    NEW   TESTAMENTS.  39 

direct  revelation  from  heaven,  accompanied  with 
such  overpowering  manifestations  of  divine  majes- 
ty !  How  utterly  inadequate  are  all  conceptions 
and  expressions  of  its  value  and  utility !  How 
greatly  should  we  prize  it !  How  dihgently 
should  we  study  its  precious  truths  ! 

What  now  shall  we  think  of  those  who  deny 
the  plenary  inspiration  of  this  sacred  book  ?  who 
throw  doubt  on  its  statements,  or  affirm  that 
some  of  them  are  fabulous  and  unworthy  of  be- 
lief? How  shall  we  regard  those  who  constantly 
and  systematically  aim  to  undermine  and  destroy 
its  divine  authority  ?  From  all  such  we  should 
turn  away.  Their  course  is  unscriptural  and 
criminal.  It  is  plainly  opposed  to  the  teach- 
ings of  Jesus,  and  nothing  short  of  an  entire 
submission  to  him  in  this,  as  well  as  other  par- 
ticulars, will  be  pleasing  to  God,  or  safe  and 
happy  for  ourselves.  This  is  the  book  of  God. 
It  is  his  voice  speaking  to  man.  It  brings  to  us 
saving  knowledge.  It  points  out  the  way  to 
everlasting  life. 

"  'T  is  like  the  sun,  a  heavenly  light, 

That  guides  us  all  the  day, 
And,  through  the  dangers  of  the  night, 

A  lamp  to  lead  our  way. 

"  'T  is  a  broad  land  of  wealth  unknown, 

Where  springs  of  life  arise ; 
Seeds  of  immortal  bliss  are  sown, 
And  hidden  glory  lies." 


CHAPTER  III. 

The  Plenary  Inspiration  of  the  New  Testament. 

An  adequate  conception  of  the  subject  before 
us  is  indispensable  to  our  earnest  and  prayerful 
investigation  of  the  truth.  We  have  to  examine 
a  question  which  is  vitally  important.  It  is 
whether  the  New  Testament  is,  or  is  not,  the 
book  of  God.  And,  compared  with  this,  all  mat- 
ters of  worldly  interest  dwindle  into  insignifi- 
cance. 

On  a  question  of  such  magnitude  it  may  be 
reasonably  supposed  that  we  are  not  left  to  doubt- 
ful and  inconclusive  testimony,  but  that  we  have 
the  fullest  and  most  decisive  proof.  So  it  is. 
God  has  graciously  given  us  all  we  can  justly 
desire  or  demand.  It  is  plain,  convincing,  and 
abundant ;  adapted  to  the  humblest  and  the 
loftiest  mind.  It  only  requires  that  we  regard  it 
with  impartiality  and  candor  to  feel  that  it  is  un- 
answerable and  complete. 

The  New  Testament  assumes  to  be  the  perfect 
booh  of  God.  Like  the  personal  teaching  of  Jesus 
Christ,  it  does  not  stop  to  reason  this  point  with 


PLENARY    INSPIRATION,    ETC.  41 

men,  but  proceeds  throughout  on  the  assumption 
that  its  authority  is  divine.  This  of  itself,  how- 
ever, is  not  sufficient  to  prove  that  authority,  but 
if  it  be  sustained  by  the  character  of  the  book, 
and  by  other  decisive  proofs,  it  must  be  deemed 
worthy  of  regard. 

In  the  preceding  chapter  we  saw  that  the  Old 
Testament  is  thus  inspired.  But  the  New  Testa- 
ment is  declared  to  be  superior  to  that ;  and  this 
superiority  consists  in  its  more  extensive  and  per- 
manent application,  its  more  perfect  discoveries, 
and  its  clearer  and  richer  manifestations  of  the 
divine  character,  designs,  and  will.  That,  as 
compared  with  this,  was  like  the  dawning  before 
the  perfect  day.  That  was  altogether  local  in  its 
application  —  this  is  altogether  universal.  That 
was  in  part  temporary  —  this  is  entirely  perma- 
nent. That,  like  the  numeral  letters  in  arithme- 
tic, presented  the  elements  of  truth  —  in  this, 
the  truth  is  fully  revealed.  That,  in  the  wisdom 
and  kindness  of  God,  was  suited  to  the  then  ex- 
isting state  of  men  —  this  conducts  them  on  to 
perfection.  That  indicated  the  approach,  but 
this  announces  the  coming  and  reign  of  the  Sun 
of  Righteousness.  That  declared  the  splendor 
and  solemnities  of  the  mount  that  might  be 
touched,  and  that  burned  with  fire  ;  but  this  re- 
veals the  grace  and  attractions  of  Mount  Zion, 
where  we  come  "  to  the  city  of  the  living  God, 
the  heavenly  Jerusalem,  and  to  an  innumerable 


42  PLEN-ARY   INSPIRATION   OF   THE 

companj  of  angels,  to  the  general  assembly  and 
church  of  the  first  born,  which  are  written  in 
heaven,  and  to  God,  the  judge  of  all,  and  to  the 
spirits  of  just  men  made  perfect ;  and  to  Jesus, 
the  mediator  of  the  new  covenant,  and  to  the 
blood  of  sprinkling,  that  speaketh  better  things 
than  the  blood  of  Abel."  The  apostle  Paul  said, 
2  Cor.  3.  7-10,  "  But  if  the  ministration  of 
death,  written  and  engraved  in  stones,  was  glo- 
rious, so  that  the  children  of  Israel  could  not 
stedfastly  behold  the  face  of  Moses  for  the  glory 
of  his  countenance  ;  which  glory  was  to  be  done 
away:  How  shall  not  the  ministration  of  the 
spirit  be  rather  glorious  ?  For  if  the  ministra- 
tion of  condemnation  be  glory,  much  more  doth 
the  ministration  of  righteousness  exceed  in  glory. 
For  even  that  which  was  made  glorious  had  no 
glory  in  this  respect,  by  reason  of  the  glory 
which  excelieth."  This  is  decisive.  If  we  had 
no  other  proof  of  the  inspiration  of  the  New  Tes- 
tament, this  would  be  sufficient,  —  its  superiority 
to  the  old. 

The  scheme  of  doctrine  and  morals  ijresented 
in  the  New  Testament  shows  its  perfect  inspira- 
tion. This  scheme  is  so  pure,  exalted,  and  be- 
nevolent, that  it  has  always  been  the  admiration 
of  all  holy  men.  The  more  they  have  studied 
it,  the  more  they  have  been  impressed  and  de- 
lighted by  its  divine  adaptation,  its  matchless  pu- 
rity, its  surpassing  kindness,  its  vast  comprehen- 


OLD   AND   NEW   TESTAMENTS.  43 

siveness,  its  ever  increasing  fresimess,  and  its 
God-like  sublimity.  There  tiie  perfections,  the 
character,  the  laws,  and  the  works  of  God,  are 
delineated  in  a  manner  that  it  was  not  possible 
for  man  to  do,  and  which  could  only  be  done  by 
that  divine  spirit,  "  who  searcheth  all  things,  yea, 
the  deep  things  of  God."  There  the  character  of 
man  is  described  in  its  original  perfection,  and  its 
present  lapsed  and  ruined  state,  as  no  one  could 
describe  it  who  is  not  perfectly  acquainted  with 
all  the  past  history  of  our  race,  and  all  the  disas- 
trous operations  and  effects  of  sin.  There  the 
salvation  provided  by  Jesus  is  made  known,  in  the 
infinite  benignity  of  its  source  ;  the  eternity  of  its 
date ;  the  manner  of  its  purchase,  by  the  in- 
carnation, obedience,  death  and  intercession  of 
Christ  ;  the  gracious  mode  of  its  application  by 
the  Holy  Spirit  to  the  soul ;  the  way  of  its  real- 
ization through  faith  in  Jesus,  with  all  its  glori- 
ous and  eternal  fruits.  And  there  the  great 
realities  of  futurity  are  fully  presented  to  our 
view,  so  that  we  know  what  will  be  the  rule  of 
judgement  in  each  individual  case,  who  will  be  the 
judge  of  all  mankind,  what  the  transactions  of  the 
final  day,  what  the  destiny  of  the  righteous  and 
the  wicked,  and  with  whom  they  will  separately 
mingle  to  all  eternity.  All  these  great  doctrines 
are  there  described  with  such  simplicity,  fullness, 
and  power,  that  every  one  who  reads  can  readily 
perceive  and  understand  them. 


44  PLENARY   INSPIRATION   OF  THE 

There,  also,  we  are  taught  to  "  love  the  Lord 
our  God  with  all  our  heart,  and  all  our  soul ;  to 
love  our  neighbor  as  ourselves  ;  to  fulfill  perfectly 
the  relative  duties  of  every  particular  station ; 
to  lay  aside  all  malice,  envy,  hatred,  revenge, 
and  other  malevolent  dispositions  or  passions,  to 
love  our  enemies,  to  render  good  for  evil,  bless- 
ing for  cursing,  and  to  pray  for  them  who  de- 
spitefuUy  use  us  and  persecute  us."  These  laws 
of  universal  purity  and  benevolence  are  there 
prescribed  with  an  authority  proper  only  to  God, 
and  extended  to  such  a  compass  and  degree  as 
God  alone  can  demand  :  and  Ijhose  sins  are  for- 
bidden which  God  alone  could  either  observe  or 
prohibit. 

The  most  powerful  motives  to  duty  and  dissua- 
sives  from  vice,  are  there  wisely  proposed  and 
powerfully  urged  ;  motives  drawn  from  the  nature 
and  perfections,  the  promises  and  the  threaten- 
ings,  the  mercies  and  judgments  of  God ;  par- 
ticularly, from  his  overflowing  benevolence  and 
mercy  in  the  work  of  our  redemption,  and  from 
advantages  and  disadvantages,  temporal,  spirit- 
ual, and  eternal.  And  while  the  most  excellent 
means  are  employed  of  directing  and  exciting  to 
the  exercise  of  piety  and  virtue,  the  most  engag- 
ing patterns  of  holiness  are  set  before  us,  in  the 
example  of  our  Redeemer,  and  of  God  as  recon- 
ciled in  him,  and  reconciling  the  world  to  him- 
self. 


OLD    AND    NEW   TESTAMENTS.  45 

Such  is  the  scheme  of  doctrine  and  morals^ 
presented  in  the  New  Testament,  and  on  it  men 
have  never  been  able  to  improve.  Though, 
with  two  exceptions,  it  was  written  by  a  few  poor 
illiterate  and  despised  men ;  though  it  was  writ- 
ten in  a  most  idolatrous  age  ;  when  the  nations  of 
the  earth  were  sunk  in  the  grossest  ignorance  of 
God  and  true  religion ;  when  immorality  of  every 
name  was  triumphant  and  encouraged  ;  still  it 
has  ever  stood  before  the  world  as  surpassing  in 
adaptation,  comprehensiveness,  and  perfection,  all 
the  thoughts  and  works  of  men.  There  have 
been  numbers  of  learned  men  of  diverse  views  and 
dispositions,  and  belonging  to  different  nations, 
who  have,  in  every  age,  applied  themselves  to  the 
study  of  religion  and  morals,  with  the  attendant 
obligations  and  privileges.  Some  of  them  were 
friendly  to  the  Christian  system,  while  others  were 
its  decided  foes.  Yet,  with  all  their  prolonged, 
anxious,  earnest  study,  they  have  neither  been  able 
to  make  any  improvement  on  this  divine  system, 
nor  find  the  least  imperfection  in  it.  After  a  trial, 
in  every  possible  way,  and  in  every  variety  of  cir- 
cumstance, throughout  more  than  eighteen  hundred 
years,  it  has  always  been  found  unequalled  and 
perfect ;  and  the  more  men  hav«  advanced  in  the 
knowledge  and  practice  of  virtue,  whether  in  re- 
lation to  each  other,  or  the  duty  tSey  owe  to  God, 
the  more  they  have  seen  of  its  divine  perfection. 
It  has  always  been  in  advance   of  their  spiritual 


46  PLENAEY   INSPIRATION   OF   THE 

discoveries  and  attainments,  and  it  is  now,  as  with 
an  angel's  voice,  calling  them  to  higher  degrees  of 
moral  excellence  and  pleasure. 

Now  I  would  ask,  is  not  this  absolutely  aston- 
ishing ?  How  is  it  that  after  a  scrutiny  so  severe 
and  prolonged,  there  has  not  been  found  the 
least  imperfection  in  this  system  of  doctrine  and 
morals  ?  How  is  it  that  amidst  all  the  improve- 
ments which  have  been  made  in  physical  science, 
and  civil  economy,  none  has  been  made  in  this  ? 
How  is  it  that  with  all  the  progress  which,  within 
the  last  century,  has  been  made  in  the  knowledge 
and  practice  of  christian  benevolence,  we  still  find 
ourselves  far  behind  both  the  spirit  and  precept 
of  the  New  Testament  ?  These  things  cannot  be 
accounted  for  apart  from  the  inspiration  of  the 
Holy  Spirit.  And,  if  there  be  anything  convinc- 
ing in  an  entire  harmony  of  statement,  in  a  per- 
fect adaptation  to  all  the  mental  and  moral  wants 
of  mankind,  and  in  an  invariable  tendency  to 
elevate  and  bless  them  for  time  and  eternity : — 
if  there  be  anything  decisive  in  the  expression  of 
spotless  purity,  in  the  declaration  of  all  compre- 
hending wisdom,  and  in  the  manifestation  of  in- 
finite benevolence  and  truth,  then  we  must  re- 
gard this  sacred  book  as  a  full  and  adequate  ex- 
pression of  the  mind  of  God. 

Jesus  Christ  promised  that  the  writers  of  the 
New  Testament  should  he  inspired.  He  said, 
Luke  12.  12,  "  The  Holy  Ghost  shaU  teach  you 


OLD   AND   NEW  TESTAMENTS.  47 

in  the  same  hour,  what  ye  ought  to  say."  Again, 
John  14.  26,  "  But  the  comforter,  which  is  the 
Holy  Ghost,  whom  the  Father  will  send  in  my 
name,  he  shall  teach  you  all  things,  and  bring  all 
things  to  your  remembrance,  whatsoever  I  have 
said  unto  you  ;"  16. 13,  "  When  he,  the  Spirit  of 
truth  is  come,  he  shall  guide  you  into  all  truth ; 
for  he  shall  not  speak  of  himself ;  but  whatsoever 
he  shall  hear,  that  shall  he  speak :  and  he  will 
show  you  things  to  come;"  15.  26,  27,  "He  shall 
testify  of  me.  And  ye  also  shall  bear  witness, 
because  ye  have  been  with  me  from  the  begin- 
ning." 

Here  is  a  full  and  definite  promise,  given  by  the 
Lord  to  his  disciples,  of  divine  inspiration,  to  assist 
them  to  recollect  what  he  had  previously  said  to 
them ;  to  guide  them  into  all  truth ;  to  show 
them  things  to  come,  and  to  enable  them  to  testi- 
fy of  him  before  the  world. 

Now,  suppose  for  a  moment,  that  these  promises 
were  not  fulfilled ;  that  the  writers  of  the  New 
Testament,  were  not  thus  inspired  ;  and  how  does 
this  supposition  bear  on  the  character  and  work  of 
Jesus  ?  It  places  him  in  the  situation  of  one  who 
has  given  a  pledge,  yet  failed  to  fulfil  it : — who 
has  excited  expectations,  yet  suffered  them  to 
fail.  It  implies,  moreover,  that  he  left  them  to 
publish  the  great  truths  and  rules  of  his  kingdom, 
which  are  of  unspeakable  importance  to  the  best 
interests  of  the  human  family,  and  the  maintenance 


48  PLENARY   INSPIRATION    OF   THE 

of  his  autlioritj,  without  affording  them  an  infal- 
lible guide,  without  giving  them  that  aid  which 
would  ensure  their  doing  it  with  truth,  and  with- 
out the  mixture  of  human  imperfections.  Does 
this  accord  with  the  Saviour's  faithfulness  ?  with 
his  previous  regard  to  their  necessities  ?  with  his 
love  to  mankind  ?  or  with  his  concern  for  the  in- 
terest of  religion  and  the  glorv  of  God  ?  would  a 
wise  earthlj^  ruler  thus  act  ?  Do  human  legisla- 
tors permit  their  laws  to  be  thus  pubhshed  ? 
Had  Jesus  done  so,  would  it  not  altogether 
change  our  conceptions  of  his  character,  and 
declare  that  he  is  unfit  to  be  the  Mediatorial  Sov- 
ereign of  the  world  ? 

But  from  such  a  conclusion  we  instantly 
shrink.  It  is  dishonorable  to  God,  and  distress- 
ing to  man.  Were  it  true,  his  claim  to  our  con- 
fidence and  homage  would  be  gone.  Our  hope 
of  salvation  and  peace  would  be  blasted,  and  we 
should  be  shut  up  in  gloomy,  hopeless  despair. 

But,  blessed  be  Jesus,  this  is  not  true.  He 
did  give  his  disciples  the  promised  teacher  and 
guide  ;  and  of  it  we  have  sufficient  proof  in  the 
writings  they  have  left.  The  late  Dr.  Dwight 
well  said  ;  "  No  power  of  human  memory  could 
enable  them  to  retain  such  a  mass  of  communica- 
tions, for  any  length  of  time,  much  less  for  such 
a  length  of  time  as  intervened  between  their  re- 
ception of  them,  and  the  publication  of  those 
writings  in  which   they   were   conveyed  to  the 


OLD    AND   NEW   TESTAMENTS.  49 

world.  If  we  consider  the  numerous  events  in 
the  life  of  Christ  Avhich  they  recorded,  and  still 
more  the  numerous  discourses  which  they  have 
professed  to  recount,  we  must  either  admit  that 
these  records  are  very  imperfectly  true,  because 
necessarily  not  exact,  or  that  the  apostles  had 
such  supernatural  assistance  as  to  make  them  ex- 
act, and  in  this  manner,  true.  This  assistance 
can  be  no  other  than  inspiration." 

"  The  gospel  of  St.  Matthew  was  written,  ac- 
cording to  the  earliest  calculation,  eight  years 
after  the  death  of  Christ ;  that  of  Mark  and  that 
of  Luke  about  the  year  64,  more  than  twenty 
years  after  the  death  of  Christ ;  and  that  of 
John,  to  say  the  least,  at  a  much  later  period. 
Nothing  can  be  more  evident  than  that  these 
writers  could  not,  for  such  a  length  of  time,  re- 
tain, by  the  mere  natural  force  of  memory,  the 
things  which  they  have  recorded.  Particularly 
is  this  impossibility  manifest  with  respect  to  the 
numerous  discourses  recorded  by  St.  John,  of 
which,  in  so  great  a  proportion,  his  gospel  con- 
sists ;  discourses  dilBfering  from  all  others  known  in 
this  present  world,  strongly  characteristical,  and 
therefore  fairly  presumed  to  be  genuine  ;  —  dis- 
courses raised  up  by  events  distinctly  recorded, 
and  perfectly  suited  to  those  events,  composed  of 
questions  and  answers,  arguments  and  objections, 
so  minutely  specified  as  to  wear  the  appearance  of 
having  been  taken  down  on  the  spot,  and  at  the 

6 


50  PLENARY   INSPIRATION   OF   THE 

moment,  with  uncommon  skill  and  facility.  He 
who  believes  St.  John  could  remember  these 
things  in  his  old  age,  by  the  mere  natural  force 
of  memory,  certainly  can  find  no  difficulty  in 
admitting  any  proposition  because  it  asserts 
something  miraculous  ;  for  no  miracle  involves  a 
more  absolute  counteraction  of  the  known  laws  of 
nature  than  that  which  is  involved  in  this  sup- 
position." Here,  therefore,  we  have  the  proof 
that  the  Saviour's  promise  was  fulfilled,  and  that 
the  New  Testament  writers  were  divinely  in- 
spired. 

The  writers  of  this  sacred  hook  believed  them- 
selves to  he  thus  inspired.  This  is  evinced 
tiiroughout  their  writings,  and  is  shown  by  the 
claims  they  put  forth.  They  affirmed  that  they 
were  the  divinely  appointed  and  special  witnesses 
for  Christ.  They  said,  1.  Cor.  4. 1,  "  Let  a  man 
so  account  of  us,  as  of  the  ministers  of  Christ, 
and  stewards  of  the  mysteries  of  God."  They 
urged  their  teachings  as  the  truth  of  God,  and 
said,  1  John,  4.  6,  "  We  are  of  God.  He  that 
knoweth  God  heareth  us  ;  he  that  is  not  of  God 
heareth  not  us."  They  placed  themselves  on  a 
full  equality  with  the  ancient  prophets  of  the 
Lord.  The  apostle  Paul  said,  Eph.  3.  4-5, 
"  Whereby,  when  ye  read  ye  may  understand  my 
knowledge  in  the  mystery  of  Christ.  Which  in 
other  ages  was  not  made  unto  the  sons  of  men, 
as  it  is  now  revealed  imto  his  holy  apostles,  and 


OLD    AND   NEW   TESTAMENTS.  51 

prophets,  by  the  spirit."  See  also  Rom.  l^. 
25-27.  They  designated  their  instructions  as, 
*'  The  truth,"  "  The  gospel  of  Christ,"  "  The  glo- 
rious gospel  of  the  blessed  God,"  "  The  word  of 
God ;"  and  the  apostle  Peter  said,  4  Ep.  3.  1,  2, 
"  This  second  epistle,  beloved,  I  now  write  unto 
you ;  —  that  ye  may  be  mindful  of  the  words 
which  were  spoken  before  by  the  holy  prophets, 
and  of  the  commandment  of  us,  the  apostles  of 
the  Lord  and  Saviour." 

This  would  have  been  sufficient  to  have  shown' 
the  reality  and  power  of  their  conviction,  that 
they  were  specially  and  fully  inspired  of  God ; 
but  they  went  further,  and  directly  affirmed  the 
fact.  Luke  says.  Acts  2.  4,  "  And  they  were 
all  filled  with  the  Holy  Ghost,  and  began  to 
speak  with  other  tongues,  as  the  Spirit  gave 
them  utterance."  Paul  said,  Gal.  1.  11,  12, 
"  I  certify  you,  brethren,  that  the  Gospel  which 
was  preached  of  me  is  not  after  man.  For  I 
neither  received  it  of  man,  neither  was  I  taught 
it  but  by  revelation  of  Jesus  Christ."  Again, 
1  Cor.  11.  23,  "  For  I  have  received  of  the 
Lord  that  which,  also,  I  delivered  unto  you." 
Again,  1  Cor.  2.  12,  13,  16,  "  Now  we  have 
received,  not  the  spirit  of  the  world,  but  the 
spirit  which  is  of  God.  Which  things,  also,  we 
speak  not  in  the  words  which  man's  wisdom 
teacheth,  but  which  the  Holy  Ghost  teacheth. 
We  have  the  mind  of  Christ."     They  enforced 


52  PLENARY   INSPIRATION   OF   THE 

their  instructions  as  of  divine  authority  on  the 
church.  Peter,  in  the  passage  already  quoted, 
spoke  of  his  epistles,  "  as  the  commandment  of 
us  the  Apostles  of  the  Lord.'  John  said,  1  Ep. 
1.  4,  "  These  things  we  write  unto  you,  that 
your  joy  may  be  full."     Paul   said,    2  Thess. 

3.  6,  ''  Now  we  command  you^  brethren,  in  the 
name  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ."   Again,  1  Thess. 

4.  8,  "  He,  therefore,  that  despiseth,  despiseth 
not  man,  but  God,  who  hath  also  given  unto  us 
of  his  Holy  Spirit."  And  referring  to  the  last 
great  day,  he  said,  "  In  the  day  when  God  shall 
judge  the  secrets  of  men  by  Jesus  Christ,  accord- 
ing to  my  Gosjoeiy 

Guided  by  the  Holy  Spirit,  they,  like  the 
writers  of  the  Old  Testament,  denounced  heavy 
judgments  against  those  who  should  take  from  or 
alter  the  sayings  of  this  sacred  book.  Paul  said, 
Gal.  1.  3,  "  But  though  we,  or  an  angel  from 
heaven,  preach  any  other  Gospel  unto  you  than 
that  which  we  have  preached  unto  you,  let  him 
be  accursed."  John  said.  Rev.  22.  18,  19, 
"  For  I  testify  unto  every  man  that  heareth  the 
words  of  the  prophecy  of  this  book,  if  any  man 
shall  add  unto  these  things,  God  shall  add  unto 
hun  the  plagues  that  are  written  in  this  book  ; 
and  if  any  man  shall  take  away  from  the  words 
of  this  prophecy,  God  shall  take  a^Yay  his  part 
out  of  the  book  of  life,  and  out  of  the  holy  city, 
and  the  things  which  are  written  in  this  book." 


OLD    AXD    NEW    TESTAMENTS.  53 

Here  we  have  evidence  of  the  fact  that  the 
writers  of  the  New  Testament  believed  them- 
selves inspired,  as  complete  as  can  he  thought  of 
or  desired.  It  must  carry  conviction  to  every 
capdid  mind.  And  when  it  is  remembered  that 
Jehovah  attested  the  correctness  of  their  claims 
and  assertions  by  his  own  miraculous  gifts,  so 
that  they  were  enabled  to  heal  the  sick,  raise  the 
dead  to  life,  and  speak  in  other  tongues  the  won- 
derful works  of  God,  the  argument  must  be 
regarded  as  unanswerable  and  sufficient  of  itself 
to  sustain  the  doctrine  that  the  New  Testament 
is  the  perfect  work  of  God. 

Once  more ;  the  inspiration  of  this  sacred 
book  is  shown  by  the  use  ivJdch  Grod  has  made  of 
it,  or  ivhat  he  has  effected  by  it. 

The  Gospel  is  peculiarly  the  sword  of  the 
spirit.  By  it  Jehovah  works  in  the  subjugation 
of  sin,  the  conversion  and  sanctification  of  souls, 
and  in  the  fulfilment  of  his  purposes  of  grace. 
Through  his  blessing  it  has  prevailed,  not  only 
without  any  compromise  with  the  world,  or  aid 
from  its  secular  powers,  but  in  direct  opposition 
thereto.  It  has  been  "  mighty,  through  God,  to 
the  pulling  down  of  strong  holds  ;  casting  down 
imaginations,  and  every  high  thing  that  exalteth 
itself  against  the  knowledge  of  God,  and  bringing 
into  captivity  every  thought  to  the  obedience  of 
Christ."  It  has  "  triumphed  over  the  craft,  rage, 
and  power  of  the  infuriated  Jews,  over  the  pride 
5* 


54  PLENARY   INSPIRATION   OF   THE 

of  learning,  and  the  obstinacy  of  ignorance, 
hatred,  and  lust ;  —  over  the  hardened  inclinar 
tions,  deep  rooted  customs,  and  long  estabhshed 
laws,  of  both  Jews  and  Pagans,  —  so  that,  not^ 
withstanding  every  conceivable  form  of  opposi- 
tion, within  a  few  years  after  Christ's  ascension, 
it  prevailed,  in  a  greater  or  less  degree,  in  almost 
every  corner  of  the  Roman  empire,  and  in  the 
countries  adjacent,  and  multitudes,  at  the  hazard 
of  every  temporal  loss  or  punishment,  readily 
behoved,  constantly  adhered  to,  and  cheerfully 
and  strictly  practised  its  pure  and  holy  precepts." 
Nor  has  the  success  of  Christianity  been  confined 
to  the  early  ages  only  ;  for  during  the  period  of 
eighteen  centuries,  notwithstanding  innumerable 
persecutions,  together  with  the  wickedness  of 
many  of  its  professors  and  ministers,  it  has  been 
successful  in  reforming  the  hearts  and  Hves  of 
multitudes  in  almost  every  nation  imder  heaven  ; 
and  at  the  present  tune  there  are  hundreds  of 
thousands  who  by  it,  have  been  quickened  from  a 
death  in  sin  to  a  life  in  Jesus  Christ,  who,  "  being 
made  free  from  sin,  and  become  the  servants  of 
God,  have  their  fruit  unto  holiness  and  the  end 
everlasting  hfe." 

The  Gospel  has  been,  from  the  very  first,  the 
efficient  instrument  of  civilization,  intelligence, 
and  happiness.  By  it,  peace,  liberty,  and  right- 
eousness have  been  difiiised  among  mankind. 
By  it,  ihey  have  been  raised  from  the  depths  of 


OLD   AND   NEW  TESTAMENTS.  55 

wretchedness  and  sin,  to  the  enjoyment  of  distin- 
guished temporal  blessings,  and  to  the  possession 
of  spiritual  health.  By  it,  they  have  been 
brought  nigh  to  God,  and  made  meet  for  the  in- 
heritance of  the  saints  in  light. 

"  This  remedy  did  wisdom  find, 
To  heal  diseases  of  the  mind  ; 
This  sovereign  balm,  whose  virtues  can 
Restore  the  ruined  creature,  man. 

"  The  gospel  bids  the  dead  revive, 
Sinners  obey  the  voice  and  live ; 
Dry  bones  are  raised  and  clothed  afresh, 
And  hearts  of  stone  are  turned  to  flesh. 

"  Nations,  the  learned,  and  the  rude. 
Are  by  these  heavenly  arms  subdued ; 
While  satan  rages  at  his  loss. 
And  hates  the  doctrine  of  the  cross." 


CHAPTER  IV. 


Objections  to  the  Plenary  Inspiration  of  the  Scriptures 
ansioered,  and  the  Beatings  of  the  opposite  Sentiment 
shown. 

In  the  preceding  chapters  we  have  seen  the 
nature  and  importance  of  inspiration,  with  the 
plenary  inspiration  of  both  the  Old  Testament 
and  the  New.  It  is  necessary  now  to  notice 
some  of  the  objections  to  this  doctrine  with  the 
consequences  involved  in  its  rejection. 

It  is  no  valid  objection  to  this  doctrine,  that  ive 
do  not  understand  liow^  or  in  ivhat  manner^  the 
minds  of  the  sacred  ivriters  ivere  affected  hj  the 
Holy  Spirit;  for  neither  can  we  tell  how  he 
works  in  the  regeneration  of  the  soul.  All  we 
know  is,  that  Christ  has  said,  John  3.  3,  "  The 
wind  bloweth  Avhere  it  listeth,  and  thou  hearest 
the  sound  thereof,  but  canst  not  tell  whence  it 
Cometh,  and  whither  it  goeth :  So  is  every  one 
that  is  born  of  the  Spirit." 

Neither  is  it  any  good  objection  to  this  doc- 
trine, that  the  writers  ivere  not  confined  to  the 
communication  of  new  truths.  For  it  was  quite 
as  necessary  to  re-assert,  and  record  with  infallible 
correctness  those  truths  which  God  had  previously 


PLENARY   INSPIRATION,   ETC.  57 

stamped  on  the  soul,  as  to  declare  those  new  doc- 
trines, or  precepts,  he  wished  to  reveal.  This 
inspiration  was  therefore  employed  to  assist  the 
memories  of  the  sacred  writers  in  relation  to 
what  was  previously  known,  as  well  as  to  enable 
them  to  foretell  things  to  come. 

It  is  no  objection,  that  the  saci^ed  writers  urote 
some  expressions  which  seem  of  little  hwportance. 
For  this  is  in  harmony  with  God's  operations  in 
nature.  He  has  created  the  blade  of  grass,  as 
well  as  the  spacious  fruitful  tree ;  —  the  insect 
as  well  as  the  man.  These  expressions  were, 
not  unfrequentlv,  indispensable  to  the  impartial 
and  perfect  presentation  of  the  truth  ;  and  though 
they  may  appear  to  us,  at  this  distance  of  time,  as 
of  but  little  moment,  they  probably  were,  when 
written,  of  great  consequence  in  the  estimation 
of  the  saints,  and  for  the  promotion  of  the  truth. 

It  is  not  a  sound  objection  to  this  doctrine, 
that  there  are  found  occasional  inaccuracies  in 
the  statements  of  Scripture^  or  instances  of  ap- 
parent disagreement  among  its  writers.  For 
these  inaccuracies  are,  at  best,  but  slight.  They 
never  refer  to  predictions,  doctrines,  or  precepts, 
but  to  matters  of  limited  application,  and  of  com- 
paratively little  moment,  and  should  be  attributed 
to  transcribers,  and  not  to  the  original  writers. 
As  to  instances  of  disagreement,  many  have  found 
these,  with  more  enlightened  and  earnest  study, 
to  be  only  imaginary,  and,  did  we  more  fully  see 


68  PLENARY   INSPIRATION    OF    THE 

light  in  God's  light,  we  should  find  that  all  is 
harmony,  beauty,  and  perfection. 

Neither,  finally,  is  it  any  valid  objection  to  the 
perfect  inspiration  of  the  Scriptures,  that  there 
are  found  recorded  in  them  some  expressions 
which  were  not  true.  Such  a  record  was  indis- 
pensable to  the  perfection  of  the  holy  word.  An 
individual  who  undertakes  to  give  a  correct  rep- 
resentation of  some  event  which  has  transpired, 
may  find  himself  obhged  to  repeat  some  un- 
righteous expressions ;  but  in  doing  tliis  he  is 
influenced  by  a  strict  regard  to  truth,  and,  instead 
of  approving  or  endorsing  them,  he  may  at  the 
same  time  abominate  them  as  most  untrue. 

So  it  is  with  the  Scriptures  of  truth.  God 
saw  that  it  was  necessary  for  our  instruction  that 
the  expressions  and  deeds,  not  only  of  good  men, 
but  also  those  of  bad  men,  should,  in  some  in- 
stances, be  recorded ;  therefore  it  has  been  done. 
But  in  making  this  record,  the  object  was,  not  to 
express  approval^  but  to  give  a  faithful  and  infal- 
lible representation  of  what  transpired.  This 
fact  it  is  very  important  to  observe,  for  it  will 
explain  what  otherwise  would  be  perplexing  to  an 
inquiring  mind. 

The  following  illustrations  will  make  this  point 
more  plain.  In  the  book  of  Job  we  are  informed 
that  Satan  said  to  God  respecting  that  holy  man, 
"  Put  forth  thine  hand  now,  and  touch  all  that  he 
hath,  and  he  will  curse  thee  to  thy  face."     But 


OLD   AND   NEW   TESTAMENTS.  59 

the  result  showed  that  this  expression  bore  the 
characteristic  of  its  author  ;  it  was  false.  For 
though  all  Job  had  was  smitten,  yet  it  is  said, 
"  In  all  this  he  sinned  not,  nor  charged  God 
foohshly." 

Again,  Satan  said  to  the  Lord,  "  Skin  for  skin, 
yea,  all  that  a  man  hath  Tvill  be  given  for  his  life. 
But  put  forth  thine  hand  now,  and  touch  his  bone 
and  his  flesh,  and  he  will  curse  thee  to  thy  face.'* 
Job  was  then  smitten  "  with  sore  boils  from  the 
sole  of  his  foot  unto  his  crown ;  and  he  took  a 
potsherd  to  scrape  himself  withal ;  and  he  sat 
down  among  the  ashes."  Yet  it  is  declared,  "  In 
all  this  did  not  Job  sin  with  his  lips."  In  both 
instances  the  assertions  of  Satan  were  false,  yet 
they  are  inscribed  on  the  sacred  page,  to  give  us 
a  faithful  dehneation  of  the  character  of  this 
accuser  of  the  brethren,  and  of  the  integrity  of 
patient  Job.  So  it  is  with  other  expressions 
found  in  this  book ;  they  are  recorded,  not  be- 
cause their  authors  were  inspired  by  the  Holy 
Spirit,  or  spoke  truthfully,  but  to  give  us  a  faith- 
ful record  of  what  was  said,  and  to  lead  us  to  a 
just  regard  of  God,  of  his  designs,  and  of  his 
administration. 

So  it  is  in  the  New  Testament.  There  are 
recorded  the  reproaches  and  accusations  of  the 
Jews  against  the  Lord.  They  said  of  hii^a,  Luke 
7.  33,  "  Behold  a  gluttonous  man,  and  a  wine- 
bibber,   a   friend  of  publicans  and  sinners."  — 


60  PLENARY   INSPIRATION   OF   THE 

Again,  Mark  3.  22,  "  He  hath  Beelzebub,  and 
by  the  prince  of  devils  caste th  he  out  devils." 
Who  believes  these  expressions  are  true,  as  appli- 
ed to  the  Holy  Jesus  ?  Yet  they  are  written  in 
the  sacred  book,  and  it  was  necessary  they 
should  be,  that  the  world  might  have  a  perfect 
history  of  the  life  of  Christ.  Bj  this  record  we 
see  how  the  blessed  Redeemer  was  assailed,  and 
how  severe  the  trials  which  he  endured.  By  it 
we  are  prepared  to  receive  and  bear  the  frowns 
of  the  world,  and  to  look  up  with  hope  and  sym- 
pathy to  him,  who  "  w^as  in  all  points  tempted  as 
we  are,  yet  without  sin."  And  the  record  of 
these  expressions,  instead  of  being  regarded  as 
an  objection  to  the  perfect  inspiration  of  the 
Scriptures,  should  be  esteemed  as  a  delightful 
proof  of  its  reality,  for  it  shows  the  regard 
which  the  Holy  Spirit  had  to  our  comfort  and 
instruction. 

These  are  the  principal  objections  to  this  doc- 
trine. Others  may  be  mentioned,  but  they  are 
b}^  no  means  unanswerable,  nor  of  sufficient  force 
to  justify  the  rejection  of  any  part  of  this  book 
as  uninspired,  for  divine  testimony  says,  "  All 
Scripture  is  given  by  inspiration  of  God." 

It  is  now  necessary  to  consider  the  hearings  of 
the  sentiment  that  the  Scriptures  are  not  fully  in- 
spired. These  are  most  momentous,  and  apply 
to  every  article  of  our  faith,  to  the  vigor  of  our 


OLD    AND   NEW  TESTAMENTS.  61 

piety,  and  to  the  very  existence  of  our  religious 
hopes. 

Think  of  its  bearings  on  the  jjractice  and  cliar- 
acter  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  We  have  al- 
ready seen  that  he  regarded  the  instructions  of 
the  Old  Testament  with  unqualified  reverence, 
enforced  them  as  of  divine  authority,  and  exhort- 
ed the  Jews  to  search  them  as  the  words  of  eter- 
nal life.  Never,  in  a- single  instance,  nor  in  the 
most  indirect  manner,  did  he  say  or  do  any  thing 
which  conflicted  with  these  instructions,  or  indi- 
cated a  doubt  of  the  divinity  of  this  part  of  the 
sacred  w^ord.  But,  if  they  were  not  divinely  in- 
spired, he  either  did  or  did  not  know  it.  If  he 
did  not  know  it,  then  it  follows  that  he  was  sub- 
ject to  ignorance  and  error,  that  he  was  less  wise 
than  the  sceptical  critics  of  our  own  day,  and 
that  his  teaching  is  erroneous  and  unworthy  of 
our  regard.  If  he  did  know  it,  then  it  follows, 
that  though  bound  to  teach  faithfully  the  truth  of 
God,  he  did  not  do  so ;  that  he  fostered  one  of 
the  greatest  errors  and  superstitions  of  the  Jews ; 
that  he  presented  as  a  divine  book  that  which  is 
not  so ;  taught  his  disciples  to  do  the  same,  and 
condemned  the  Jews  for  not  regarding  with 
greater  reverence  its  words.  One  of  these  con- 
clusions is  inevitable.  There  is  no  possibiUty  of 
escape.  And  either  one,  if  true,  would  show 
that  Jesus  Christ  does  not  deserve  the  unquaU- 


62  PLENARY   INSPIRATION   OF   THE 

fied  confidence  of  mankind,  and  that  he  is  not  fit 
to  be  the  Saviour  of  the  world. 

The  behef  that  the  New  Testament  is  not  thus 
perfectly  inspired,  appHes  with  similar  efiect  to 
the  character  of  Jesus.  He  did  unquestionably 
promise  that  his  servants  should  be  inspired  to 
teach  his  will ;  that  the  Holy  Spirit  should  bring 
all  things  to  their  remembrance  whatsoever  he 
had  said  unto  them ;  should  tell  them  what  to 
say,  and  show  them  things  to  come.  The  fulfil- 
ment of  this  promise  was  indispensable  to  fit  the 
apostles  for  the  duties  they  had  to  discharge,  and 
to  give  perfection  and  authority  to  the  instruc- 
tions of  the  New  Testament.  But  suppose  the 
sentiment  is  true  that  they  were  not  thus  mspir- 
ed  ;  then  it  follows  that  the  promise  of  Jesus  was 
not  fulfilled ;  that  he  was  not  faithful  to  his 
word  ;  that  he  sent  forth  his  servants  on  an  em- 
bassage which  most  intimately  concerned  the 
maintenance  of  his  authority,  and  the  highest 
welfare  of  his  creatures,  without  giving  them 
the  necessary  quahfications  and  instructions,  and 
without  furnishing  them  with  infalhble  rules,  for 
the  perfect  publication  and  enforcement  of  his 
will. 

Do  these  things  accord  with  the  declaration  of 
the  gospel,  that  Jesus  is  ''full  of  grace  and 
truth  9^^  Do  they  not  reflect  most  painfully  on 
his  wisdom,  integrity,  benevolence,  and  entire 
character  ?     Would  they  not,  if  true,  compel  us 


OLD    AND    NEW    TESTAMENTS.  63 

to  change  altogether  our  ideas  of  Jesus  ?  de- 
stroy our  confidence  in  him,  and  place  us  in  a 
state  of  the  most  painful  uncertainty  respecting 
the  requirements  of  God,  and  the  way  of  peace 
and  salvation  ? 

Such  are  the  bearings  of  the  sentiment,  that 
the  Bible  is  oiAj  ijartlally  inspired  on  the  prac- 
tice and  character  of  Jesus  Christ.  It  not  only 
denies  his  divinity,  but  it  destroys  his  claim  to  be 
regarded  as  an  infallible  teacher  of  truth,  and  a 
perfect  pattern  for  the  imitation  of  mankind. 

Think  of  the  bearings  of  this  sentiment  on 
those  who  indulge  it  in  relation  to  Christ.  A 
great  number  of  those  who  refuse  to  receive  the 
Scriptures  as  wholly  and  perfectly  inspired,  pro- 
fess to  admire  the  perfect  character  and  wisdom 
of  Jesus,  to  receive  his  sayings  as  the  truth  of 
God,  and  to  follow  him  as  their  teacher  and  pat- 
tern. They  call  themselves  his  disciples,  and 
enjoin  the  duty  of  believing  and  doing  as  he  did. 

But  where  do  we  find  that  Jesus  expressed  the 
least  doubt  of  the  divine  inspiration  of  the  Bible  ? 
Where  shall  we  look  for  the  least  indication  of 
this  ?  Where  in  all  his  teachings  shall  we  find  a 
single  word,  which,  fairly  construed,  can  be  re- 
garded as  encouraging  the  disbelief  of  this  doc- 
trine ? 

I  hazard  nothing  in  saying  that  there  is  no 
such  proof.  He  not  only  did  not  question  this 
doctrine,  but  he  boldly,  continuously,  and  in  the 


64 


PLENARY    INSPIRATION    OF   THE 


most  decisive  mannner,  affirmed  it.     As  of  di- 
vine authority,  he  personailv  received  and  obey- 
ed the  Scriptures  ;  — as  sudi,  he  submitted  his 
claims  to  their  decision  ;  —  and  as  such,  he  en- 
forced  a  childlike  deference  to  their  teachings. 
1  he  Rev.  Prof.  Stuart,  after  an  extensive  exam- 
ination of  this  subject,  says,  "  I  have  fully  shown 
that  Christ  and  his  apostles  did  receive  the  Old 
Testament  Scriptures  as  divine  and  authoritative. 
If  this  be  not  fully  shown,  then  I  must  despair  of 
ever  seeing  any  point  established  in  sacred  criti- 
cism,  either  in  respect  to  facts  or  opinions.  There 
is  not  a  circumstance  in  all  the  history  of  religion, 
appertaining  to  ancient  times,  that  is  capable  of 
more  absolute  demonstration  than  this." 

Now,  I  would  ask,  are  they  who  disbelieve  the 
plenary  inspiration,  either  of  the  Old  or  New  Tes- 
tament   Scriptures,   the    consistent   followers   of 
Christ  ?     Are  they  obediently  receiving  his  in- 
structions ?     Are  they  imitating  his  perfect  pat- 
tern .     Nay,  they  are  acting  in  direct  opposition 
to  his  example,  and,  no  matter  what  their  profes- 
sions, they  are  the  opponents  of  Jesus  and  the 
rejecters  of    his  authority.      The  distinguished 
theologian  just  quoted,  says :    "  It  is   no  light 
matter  what  judgment  we  form  on  a  subject  of 
such  high  and  holy  import  as  this.     It  is  a  case 
m  which  a  direct  demand  is  made  upon  us  for 
submission    and    deference    to    Christ    and   his 
apostles;  and  we  cannot  thrust  it  aside.     The 


OLD   AND    NEW   TESTAMENTS.  65 

simple  and  ultimate  question  is :  Are  we  to  admit 
their  authority  and  example^  or  to  gainsay  the 
one,  and  shun  an  imitation  of  the  other ^ 

Think  again,  of  the  bearings  of  this  sentiment 
on  ourselves,  and  the  best  interests  of  society. 
Every  individual  who  has  earnestly  thought  on 
the  subject,  knows  that  mankind  need,  in  matters 
of  faith  and  practice,  a  perfect  and  infallible 
guide.  Such  a  guide  the  Bible  is,  and  the  more 
elevated  and  Christ-like  our  moral  dispositions 
are,  the  more  disposed  we  shall  be  to  receive  its 
teachings  with  child-like  homage  and  deference. 
Then  it  will  be  our  delight,  and  we  shall  feel  that 
the  loftiest  act  of  the  human  intellect  is  to  receive, 
with  unfeigned  and  unqualified  submission,  its 
divine  statements. 

But  if  this  blessed  book  be  not  thus  received  ; 
if  we  doubt  its  entire  inspiration,  and  question 
the  divine  authority  of  any  of  its  declarations, 
how  shall  our  spiritual  necessities  be  supplied  ? 
How  shall  we  know  what  is  truth  ?  How  shall 
we  obtain  religious  comfort  and  stability  ?  How 
shall  we  guard  ourselves  from  the  growing  influ- 
ence of  error  and  sin  ? 

I  once  knew  an  individual  of  considerable 
mental  attainments,  of  great  amiability  of  temper, 
and  of  high  standing  in  the  church,  who,  after 
professedly  regarding  the  whole  Bible  as  the 
book  of  God,  began  to  doubt  the  correctness  of 
this  opinion.     Then  he  disbeUeved  it.     Then  he 


66 


PLENARY   INSPIRATION   OF   THE 


would  not  admit  as  true  those  principles  which 
are  based  on  this  doctrine.  Then  he  openly 
and  bitterly  opposed  certain  truths  of  the  Bible. 
Then  he  separated  himself  from  his  previous 
religious  connections,  united  himself  with  the 
advocates  of  error,  and  became  an  open  enemy 
of  the  truth.  Throughout  this  whole  process  he 
seemed  in  a  most  uncomfortable  state  of  mind, 
and  he  was,  I  fear,  ever  after,  a  stranger  to  holy 
peace,  and  firm  assured  faith.  This  is  not  an 
^  uncommon  case.  Many  have  taken  a  similar 
course,  and  found  a  similar  end. 

"  When  our  confidence  in  God's  word  is  im- 
paired, however  slightly,  we  are  left  in  uncer- 
tamty  and  peril.  It  must  be  perfect  and  entire, 
else  it  has  no  element  of  safety.  If  one  portion 
is  cast  away,  the  whole  revelation  may  soon  be 
doubted  or  discarded.  Cut  a  single  strand  of 
the  rope  which  raises  the  collier  from  his  dark 
mine,  and  the  rest  may  soon  part,  and  leave  him 
to  be  dashed  in  pieces  below.  Break  a  sino-le 
line  in  the  connected  revealings  of  God,  and  yon 
leave  them  a  heap  of  fragments,  to  be  picked 
away  by  every  pilfering  hand.  The  process 
once  started  in  a  sceptical  mind,  can  thence- 
forward be  traced,  only  as  the  spiral  currents 
of  the  whirlwind,  by  the  desolations  they  leave 
behind." 

Similar,  in  a  great  degree,  will  be  the  influ- 
ence  of  this  sentiment  on  society.     That  is  made 


OLD    AND   NEW   TESTAMENTS.  67 

up  of  separate  individuals,  and  what  their  opinions 
and  habits  are,  its  prevailing  features  will  be. 
Let  the  impression  generally  prevail  that  the 
Bible  is  not  wholly  true  ;  that  it  is  not  entirely  of 
divine  authority,  and,  if  the  influence  of  this  sen- 
timent is  not  controled  by  opinions  previously 
held,  or  by  the  rehgious  views  and  habits  of  other 
persons  around,  it  will  soon  appear  that  the  word 
of  God  is  but  little  read  and  reverenced  by  the 
members  of  that  community,  and  that  they  pay 
little  regard  to  its  institutions  and  requirements. 
Deeply  inlaid  in  their  minds  will  be  the  seeds  of 
error,  which,  if  allowed  to  bring  forth  their  appro- 
priate fruit,  will  appear  in  the  practical  rejection 
of  the  Bible  as  a  divine  book ;  in  the  abandon- 
ment of  its  peculiar  doctrines  ;  in  the  repudiation 
of  its  high  prohibitions  and  sanctions  ;  in  the  dis- 
regard of  its  obligations  ;  in  the  profanation  of 
the  sabbath  ;  and  in  the  indulgence  of  a  prevail- 
ing scepticism  which  will  be  the  bane  of  private 
and  social  happiness  and  virtue.  There  the 
foundations  of  the  social  fabric  will  be  under- 
mined ;  its  securities  will  be  weakened  ;  its  moral 
power  will  be  broken ;  the  source  of  its  strength 
and  happiness  will  be  discarded ;  and  it  will  be 
controled  by  influences  which  will  inevitably  lead 
to  misery  and  ruin. 

Such  are  the  bearings  of  this  sentiment  that 
the  word  of  God  is  not  perfectly  inspired,  on  the 
character  of  Jesus  Christ ;  on  the  conduct  of  men 


68  PLENARY    INSPIRATION    OF   TUE 

in  relation  to  him  ;  and  on  the  moral  welfare  of 
the  individual,  and  of  society.  And  can  this 
sentiment  be  true  ?  Was  the  blessed  Saviour 
chargeable  with  deceit  ?  Is  he  unworthy  of  our 
imitation  and  confidence  ?  Are  his  instructions 
undeserving  our  regard  ?  Shall  we  cast  aside 
the  light  of  heaven  and  plunge  ourselves  into 
worse  than  midnight  darkness?  Shall  we  dis- 
card, what  experience,  as  well  as  divine  asser- 
tion, declares  is  the  infallible  and  perfect  guide, 
for  the  dubious,  conflicting,  and  insufficient  dic- 
tates of  reason  ?  May  God  forbid  !  But  with  a 
more  enhghtened  and  firmer  faith,  with  increased 
docility  of  spirit,  and  with  a  stronger  desire  to 
know  and  do  the  will  of  God,  let  us  earnestly 
cleave  to  the  lohole  Bible,  as  the  perfect,  infalh- 
ble,  ever-enduring  word  of  the  Lord. 

"  Most  wondrous  book !  bright  candle  of  the  Lord  ! 
Star  of  eternity  !   the  only  star 
By  which  the  bark  of  man  could  navigate 
The  sea  of  life,  and  gain  the  coast  of  bliss 
Securely  ;  only  star  which  rose  on  Time, 
And  on  its  dark  and  troubled  billows,  still. 
As  generation  drifting  swiftly  by. 
Succeeded  generation,  threw  a  ray, 
Of  heaven's  own  Hght,  and  to  the  hills  of  God, 
The  eternal  hills,  pointed  the  sinner's  eyes ; 
By  prophets,  seers,  and  priests,  and  sacred  bards, 
Evangelists,  apostles,  men  inspired. 
And  by  the  Holy  Ghost  anointed,  set 
Apart  and  consecrated  to  declare 
To  earth  the  counsels  of  the  Eternal  One, 


OLD    AND    NEW   TESTAMENTS.  69 

This  book  —  this  holiest,  this  sublimest  book, 

AVas  sent,  —  Heaven's  will,  Heaven's  code  of  laws  entire. 

This  book,  this  holy  book,  on  every  line, 
Marked  with  the  seal  of  high  divinity, 
On  every  leaf  bedewed  with  drops  of  love 
Divine,  and  with  the  eternal  heraldry 
And  signature  of  God  Almighty  stamped 
From  first  to  last,  —  this  ray  of  sacred  light, 
This  lamp  from  off  the  everlasting  throne, 
INlercy  took  down,  and  in  the  night  of  Time 
Stood  casting  on  the  dark  her  grcxcious  bow ; 
And  evermore  beseeching  men,  with  tears 
And  earnest  sighs,  to  read,  believe,  and  live." 

KiRKE  White. 


DATE  DUE 


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DEMCO  38-297                                                                                       1 

BS480 .099 

The  plenary  inspiration  of  the  Old  and 

Princeton  Theological  Seminary-Speer  Library 


1    1012  00051   8730 


